2018 NFL Draft Profile: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is one of the big names heading into the 2018 NFL Draft but would he be a good fit for the Minnesota Vikings?

Effective franchise quarterbacks seem to be in scarce supply in the NFL. Choosing one out of the NFL Draft is a high-risk investment. Oftentimes, these decisions prove to decide the fate of many prominent roles inside the organization. Contrary to recent years, the 2018 class could supply a number of quality players at the quarterback position.

A name like Baker Mayfield will bounce around a variety of NFL war rooms on draft day. Mayfield is a polarizing figure who created a storybook senior season in 2017 with a number of highlight performances.

Mayfield produced his collegiate career at Oklahoma University where he stuffed the stat sheet year in and year out. According to NFL.com, Mayfield passed for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns comparing to only six interceptions in 2017. The Oklahoma product was also extremely efficient, completing 70.5 percent of his passes.

After leading his team to the College Football Playoff, Baker Mayfield was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his stellar performance on the field this past season. Unfortunately, Mayfield has also been in the news for some less appealing actions. He was arrested last February for public intoxication and has also been criticized for cockiness on the field. Nevertheless, Mayfield will remain high on the board of many NFL teams.

Strengths:

Elevates the teammates around him and takes commanding leadership role
Massive competitor. Plays with a chip on his shoulder
Solid athlete. Has quick feet with the ability to scramble and make explosive plays outside of the pocket
Skilled at evading pressure. Knows how to maneuver the pocket and improvise
Not afraid to operate in chaos. Has the ability to keep eyes downfield with the pocket closing
Quick release. Accurate in short to mid-level attempts
Puts velocity on the ball when needed
Has a knack for fitting the ball into tight windows
Effective in the red zone as a dual-threat playmaker

Weaknesses:

Inconsistent accuracy and timing on deep throws. Has a tendency to throw short of his intended receiver
His throwing mechanics can get wild. Occasionally sail a pass to an open receiver
Sometimes has “happy feet”
Will throw off his back foot
NFL style offenses will be foreign to what he ran in college. Will need plenty of time to adjust
Post-snap reads will be an adjustment for him in the NFL
Needs to work on precision of ball placement

Fit for the Minnesota Vikings

Typically, quarterback-needy teams fit the “rebuilding” classification. The Minnesota Vikings, however, are a rare case. Coming off of an NFC Championship appearance, they are searching for long-term stability at the position to push them over the top.

With Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, and Sam Bradford all set to become free agents on March 14, the Vikings may look to the draft in order to revitalize some of the depth that could be lost on the open market.

Insert Baker Mayfield. With John DeFilippo in as the new Vikings offensive coordinator, Mayfield would have an innovative mind to work with his unique skill set. DeFilippo has a proven track record of success in the NFL when it comes to fitting his scheme around a certain player.

He helped transform Eagles quarterback Nick Foles into an efficient and confident quarterback that rose to stardom seemingly out of nowhere. Mayfield could be his next project if the Vikings end up drafting him in April. He is a perfect fit for a run-pass option (RPO) style offense, which is part of the package DeFilippo is bringing over to Minnesota.

My Take:

Mayfield is adept at making quick reads off the snap and getting the ball out of his hands. He has a quick release and is not afraid to fit the ball into a tight window. He may be a bit erratic at times and his timing is not always precise on downfield attempts. Mayfield will need time for development and may need to rely on a spread and RPO scheme early on to have success. Mayfield is an unfinished product, but his potential could transform a franchise. He has the skill set now to be able to create plays for both himself and his teammates.

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Mobility was the key to Mayfield’s success at Oklahoma and it will be the same in the NFL. He knows how to maneuver his feet to escape and make plays downfield, which is what makes him such an intriguing talent.

Utilizing this skill set correctly will be the most difficult adjustment for him. If he can show poise in the pocket while also being aware of when to use his feet, Mayfield is going to adapt just fine in the NFL.

Should the Vikings roll their dice with Mayfield in the NFL Draft, he would be able to utilize his strengths with the RPO, while also continuing to improve post-snap reads and complex decision-making. He is going to have a long way to go but pairing him with DeFilippo would allow for his best potential to show.

Next: Should the Vikings want A.J. McCarron?

Baker Mayfield would also have a plethora of weapons in Minnesota. Dalvin Cook is nothing short of dynamic as a three-down running back. Given his healthy return, added with the explosive combination of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, Minnesota would be a healthy landing spot for the incoming rookie quarterback. This group would have the potential to be extremely potent if linked together.

Draft Grade: 2nd Round