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Baker Mayfield has finally cracked the NFL's top 100 list

20200517_134556by: Justin Rudolph08/20/21
baker-mayfield-cracked-nfls-top-100-list- cleveland-browns

The Cleveland Browns young quarterback, Baker Mayfield, has finally made his debut on the NFL’s top 100 list. Mayfield comes in at No. 71 after helping the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002, and their first playoff win since 1994. What makes this accomplishment that much sweeter is it came against their bitter division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Baker Mayfield in 2020

The former Oklahoma qunslinger had his best year in the pros last season. He completed 305 passes for 3563 yards and 26 touchdowns. But where Mayfield had the most growth was in the interception department. In his first two seasons, Mayfield threw double-digit interceptions in each year, for a grand total of 35 total. Coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted Mayfield’s strides in protecting the ball last season.

“I know he took really good care of the football,” Stefanski said. “That is always going to be the point of emphasis for our offense, in general, is taking care of that thing because we put such an emphasis on the turnover margin. That would be one thing that comes to mind.”

He threw just eight interceptions on the year. And he was able to do this while one of his star receivers was hobbled with injuries throughout the season in Jarvis Landry, ranked 94; the other was out for the season with a torn ACL in Odell Beckham Jr.

2021 expectations

The Browns have one of the best offenses on paper. That is because of all the talent they have at every position. They have the best-rated offensive line going into 2021 according to Pro Football Focus. Two Pro-Bowl superstar receivers in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, and another Pro Bowl duo in the backfield with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb. Oh, and two athletic 6-foot-4 passcatchers in Austin Hooper and David Njoku.

With all these weapons at his disposal and an offensive line that will protect him, Baker Mayfield is set up to have one of the best performances in the NFL this season. If Mayfield can repeat what he did last year in ball security and get the ball out to all his weapons, he will see his name rise on the NFL’s top-100 list for next year.

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)