Your typical NFL draft prospect, Baker Mayfield is not.
The former Oklahoma quarterback spoke with remarkable candor and confidence Friday during his news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine, a stark deviation from the cliche-filled answers most draft hopefuls give in these types of settings.
Some would call Mayfield’s responses — like the one where he declared himself the savior of the Cleveland Browns franchise, or the one where he said he is “by far” the most accurate QB in this draft class — refreshingly honest. Others might say he sounds like a cocky punk. He surely doesn’t care either way, and that, along with his electric play on the field, is what makes him one of the most entertaining players in this draft class.
Here’s a sampling of what Mayfield, who’ll run through on-field drills Saturday, had to say to reporters in Indianapolis:
On potentially being drafted by the Browns: “If anybody’s going to turn that franchise around, it’s going to me.”
On being shorter (a hair shy of 6-foot-1) than a prototypical QB: “Height doesn’t matter. You see guys like Tyrod Taylor, (Drew) Brees, Russell Wilson — they’ve proven that it doesn’t matter. If you want to say anything else, I’ve got three years of tape you can watch. … I think I had less batted balls at the line of scrimmage than the other (quarterbacks) here, and I’m pretty sure I’m a shorter guy, too.”
On his interviews with teams: “What you see is what you get. I’ve always been brutally honest, and some people don’t like that, because it’s rare nowadays. But I go into these meetings, and I’m just myself. I want to get drafted to a team that knows exactly what they’re getting.”
On potentially starting his career as a backup: “Whatever team I go to, I’m not going to settle for a backup job. I’ve never been like that, and I never will. I’m going to push that person in front of me. What it comes down to is the best man’s going to win. I know that. But everybody has a role on the team, and if you’re not pushing those guys around you to be better, you’re not doing it right.”
On his greatest attribute as a player: “Accuracy. I’m the most accurate quarterback in this draft, by far.”
On how he’ll address his character concerns: “Honest, tell the true story. When I got tackled by the cops in Arkansas, I tell them a true story. When I talk about planting the flag at Ohio State, I tell them a true story, about the fact that was an emotional win, that was one we worked for over a year for after they embarrassed us in our home stadium. And you want to talk about the Kansas (crotch grab), it’s about where you draw the line and being professional. If you want to be a franchise guy, there are certain things I can’t do, but I’m still going to be competitive and passionate. That’s gotten me to this point, so when we talk about it, I’m upfront about it.”
On his critics: “I used to have the mindset of worrying about everybody else’s opinions, trying to please everybody. But that’s not going to happen.”
On his emotional outbursts: “There’s a line to be drawn to unprofessional, but the great ones are competitive. You look at Tom Brady. You look at (Aaron) Rodgers. Philip Rivers, too. Those guys have that edge. So yeah, there’s a line to be drawn, and I’ve had my lessons to go through the hard way, obviously. You guys know that.”
On Oklahoma tackle Orlando Brown’s miserable combine showing: “When are you ever going to watch Orlando Brown run 40 yards down the field? you can watch last year’s tape and see he allowed zero sacks. I’d say that’s pretty important for a left tackle.”
