NFL Draft: Baker Mayfield meets media, dares anyone to doubt him

The former was selected in the second round while the latter ended up not being drafted.

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award victor Baker Mayfield speaks during a news conference at the Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018.

“I don’t think it’s cocky, ” said the Oklahoma Sooner and Heisman Trophy victor.

However, his senior season didn’t go by without his share of missteps.

Mayfield insists, though, he can change his actions. After the Kansas Jayhawks wouldn’t shake his hand, he was caught on camera grabbing his crotch and swearing at the Kansas sideline.

“What I did today, tonight was unacceptable”. I’m playing for all of my teammates.

At the end of the day these media sessions are not critical to where these kids get drafted, but everything they do here is weighed and evaluated, and Mayfield appeared less than thrilled that he was there at all. As punishment, Mayfield did not start against West Virginia and was not listed as a captain.

The best way I can describe it is that he came across as a mashup of focused, determined, exhausted and even a touch angry. “My confidence level is going to say I’m the best player”, Chubb said.

On why he’d be a good fit for the Browns: “First things first, I’d be a victor”. If an organization wants to draft me, it’s their choice of what they do with me when I get there. It was a big blow for me. “I’d say that’s pretty important for a left tackle”. If I want to be a franchise guy, there are certain things I can’t do, but I’m also still going to be competitive and passionate. When I talk about planting the flag against Ohio State, I talk about the fact that was an emotional win, it was one we worked for over a year for after they embarrassed us at our home stadium. His NFL Combine measurement added a quarter inch so that he can now fairly round up to 6-foot-1.

What separates Mayfield from the others?

On being willing to initially play a backup role: “First things first, 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 gonna push that person in front of me.

“Woodshop class, I guess was my best one. But these past four years, I was living out my lifelong dream, and I’m proud that I did it on my terms”.

And Mayfield knows where his career is taking him next. Cleveland-based reporters hit him early with questions of his desire (or lack thereof) to play for the Browns, and he handled it gracefully. That’s why he’s managed to rise up the coaching ranks so fast. It takes time. You have to build relationships. He could trade back – “We’ll be open for business on the fifth pick, depending on how things fall”, he said – or could use that coveted pick on an immediate impact player. At UCLA, Rosen played for a former National Football League head coach in Mora, who had previously led the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks.

But nobody here believes more strongly in Mayfield than the Oklahoma quarterback. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 38-20 to become Big XII champions. The New York Giants, who pick second, could draft an heir to Eli Manning and the New York Jets and Denver Broncos are also in the quarterback market.

“There’s a special place in my heart for all the Sooner fans out there”. I wanted to take the pulse of the community about what they feel on this topic. A lot of times you get tied up in the emotions of the situation and where he is.