It's overreaction season in the NFL, especially for the new crop of incoming rookies. No first-year player is under the microscope more than Cleveland Browns number one overall pick Baker Mayfield.
On Wednesday, Mayfield took reps with the third team during Cleveland's OTA, and according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, he struggled to the tune of three interceptions.
HBO's Hard Knocks has already begun filming, capturing the Heisman Trophy winners growing pains in the professional ranks. Cabot added that two of the picks went through receivers' hands, but another two passes easily could've been intercepted if they weren't dropped by defenders.
There's no pressure on Mayfield to perform this season, as incoming quarterback Tyrod Taylor has already received the starting job from head coach Hue Jackson. From Cabot:
“Tyrod's our starting quarterback. Baker's our No. 1 pick,” he said. “He's our quarterback of the future. I've said that since this happened. I don't think that will change. I want those guys to be exposed for what they do, because I think our fans want to know them and what makes them tick. But at the same time, I don't think it should put any more pressure on what we need to do as a football team about who's playing quarterback for us.”
The interceptions could be a product of the fact that the Browns had Mayfield working on deep passes over middle of the field, per Cabot. He's also transitioning to taking snaps under center, a rarity during his time at Oklahoma.
On a more positive note, Mayfield hit fellow rookie Julian Allen in the back corner of the end zone during team drills in addition to a touchdown strike to David Njoku down the right sideline from 30 yards out.
Yes, we're talking about practice, but that's what comes with the hype of being the first pick in the draft, especially for a franchise that has only won one game over the past two seasons.
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