Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2018: QB Preview, Part 2

In Part 1 of our Cleveland Browns training camp preview on quarterbacks, we looked at Tyrod Taylor and Drew Stanton. In Part 2 today, we take a look at rookies Baker Mayfield and Brogan Roback.

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3. Baker Mayfield - Rookie QB

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: Rookie | College: Oklahoma

Baker Mayfield is the first Browns quarterback to be taken No. 1 overall since Tim Couch in 1999. Even that statistic sounds a bit ridiculous, because it’s indicative of how long the struggle to find a franchise quarterback has been (as well as how bad you have to be to have multiple first overall picks two years in a row).

Despite being picked first overall, the expectation is that Mayfield will not be pressed into starting action in 2018. That may seem a little ridiculous when you think back to history. Two years ago, Cody Kessler started 8 games as a 3rd round rookie. Last year, DeShone Kizer started 15 games as a 2nd round rookie. Cleveland’s combined record in those two seasons? 1-31.

Starting a rookie quarterback doesn’t always correlate to a disaster, though. We’ve seen it with the likes of Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, and Deshaun Watson. I don’t think that Mayfield is such a project that he would be a deer in the headlights if he had to start in Week 1. He has already been commended highly for how well he has fit into the locker room and gained the respect of his teammates. The line has already been drawn, though, and everyone seems fine with it: Tyrod Taylor is the starter, and Mayfield will take however long he needs to get ready.

Mayfield will be a sight to see in training camp, but all of the attention won’t be on him if Taylor, Josh Gordon, and Jarvis Landry form the rejuvenated Browns offense everyone is hoping for. He’s not really “competing” with Drew Stanton to be the No. 2 quarterback; the depth chart will merely be a coaches’ decision on when Mayfield is comfortable enough with Todd Haley’s offense to be in that gameday backup role. I think he’ll be ready for it mid-way through camp.

Final Roster Odds: 100%

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4. Brogan Roback - Camp Arm QB

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: Rookie | College: Eastern Michigan

Yes, that is the name of a real NFL quarterback — Brogan Roback. Assuming Roback makes it to training camp, I’m sure he will have his own little cult following for that alone.

Dane Brugler had Roback graded as the 18th-best quarterback in this year’s class. At Eastern Michigan, he became the team’s starter in 2015, leading them to a rare bowl game. Brugler credits him with having a quick release and the right amount of touch if he is given time to follow through. His issues come when he is pressured, because he rushes himself and loses his mechanics. Brugler says that Roback “handled himself like a veteran in turning around Eastern Michigan’s football program, but that his erratic tendencies will be quickly exposed in the NFL.” You can get to know Roback a little more below.

Roback has a chance to impress, but will likely be fighting for a spot on the practice squad since it’s almost a lock that the top three spots on the depth chart are taken.

Final Roster Odds: 1%

That concludes our training camp preview on quarterbacks! Next up will be the running back position. But first, our final poll question is on quarterbacks, dealing with Mayfield.