2018 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns pull stunner, draft Baker Mayfield No. 1

The Cleveland Browns kept the top pick secret until Roger Goodell took the stage and announced Baker Mayfield as the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

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The Cleveland Browns were quiet as a mouse during the lead up until the NFL Draft. The media honed in Sam Darnold as the presumptive No. 1 pick, but the Browns never let on how accurate that assumption was. Then the news broke less than 24 hours before the Browns were on the clock that Baker Mayfield would be the top pick.

Those rumors came to fruition when the Cleveland Browns did indeed select Heisman winner Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 pick.

Baker Mayfield is going to be a story pointed to for a long time. The former walk-on at Texas Tech transferred to Okahoma, won the Heisman and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. He was one of the most accurate passers in college, and despite his size and character concerns, is a fantastic football player.

How does he fit in Cleveland?

The Cleveland Browns, finally, have their quarterback. After trading for Tyrod Taylor during the offseason the Browns have the luxury of being able to bring Mayfield up to speed at their own pace. That’s a win for Mayfield and a win for Cleveland.

Next: Final 7-Round 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Grade: B

There wasn’t much separation between the top passers this season, so getting the right guy was the most important pick for the Browns. There are legitimate concerns when it comes to Mayfield, but he’s a competitor that keeps score. If anyone can turn the Browns around it’s going to be a leader like him.