Carolina remains the most likely landing spot for Baker Mayfield. The Panthers traded up for Matt Corral, but reports indicate they’re continuing to talk to Cleveland about obtaining the former No. 1 overall pick. Talks broke down during the draft when the teams couldn’t agree on how much of Mayfield’s $18.9 million salary would be picked up by the Browns.
The Panthers already have Sam Darnold, and his $18.9 million salary is guaranteed. (Like the Browns with Mayfield, Carolina unwisely picked up the fifth-year option on Darnold’s rookie contract a year ago.) They traded away a fourth-round pick and next year’s third-rounder to move up to draft Corral at the end of the third round.
But multiple reports indicate Carolina is still trying to swing a deal for Mayfield. They presumably like him more than Darnold. Mayfield was pretty dreadful last year while trying to play with an injured non-throwing shoulder for most of the year, but he threw 26 touchdowns versus only 8 interceptions the previous season, helping Cleveland make the playoffs. And Mayfield looked very good in the second half of his rookie year.
If the Panthers complete this deal, it will make their Week 1 game against Cleveland a lot more interesting. The Browns could be playing without Deshaun Watson for most of season, but Mayfield is done there – that situation is toxic.
These recent talks reinforce that the Seahawks don’t seem to have any interest in Mayfield. If they felt that he would likely come in and start ahead of Geno Smith and Drew Lock, they likely would be talking to the Browns at least some. Carolina could be on the verge of landing Mayfield for about $5 or $10 million (with the Browns eating the remaining money), and that doesn’t seem to concern Seattle at all.
Mayfield struggled last year, particularly in key situations. He’s about the same size as Russell Wilson and tries to play with the same style – buying time by scrambling – but doesn’t have that same athleticism to pull off those kind of plays. I remember seeing him take a pair of drive-ending sacks against the Bears early in the season, when the Browns were in scoring position. Those were situations that a more mobile quarterback could have turned into big plays.
Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, there were 12 plays last year when Mayfield attempted passes on fourth-down plays inside the 40-yard line – important, key plays. He took sacks on four of those plays. Only 3 of those plays resulted in completions (though the Browns picked up another first down on a defensive holding call).
I suppose it makes some sense for Carolina to toss him into the mix, on the off chance he’s a lot better than he’s shown in recent years. But they shouldn’t be giving up much, and the Browns should be picking up a lot of that salary.
| MAYFIELD: FOURTH DOWNS IN SCORING POSITION | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk | Opp | Q | down/dis | Result |
| 1 | K.C. | 1 | 4-3-15 | • 5 yards to Hooper, TD |
| 3 | Chi. | 1 | 4-5-38 | sack, minus-9 |
| 3 | Chi. | 1 | 4-1-20 | sack, minus-11 |
| 4 | Min. | 2 | 4-4-6 | sack, minus-11 |
| 4 | Min. | 2 | 4-2-2 | • incomplete (hold; 1st down) |
| 5 | LAC | 2 | 4-2-17 | incomplete for Beckham |
| 6 | Ariz. | 1 | 4-3-13 | sack, minus-9 |
| 6 | Ariz. | 4 | 4-4-7 | incomplete for Beckham |
| 8 | Pitt. | 4 | 4-12-26 | incomplete for Landry |
| 10 | N.E. | 1 | 4-2-2 | • 2 yards to Hooper, TD |
| 17 | Pitt. | 4 | 4-2-37 | • 15 to Peoples-Jones |
| 17 | Pitt. | 1 | 4-7-38 | incomplete for Landry |
—Ian Allan