NFL Draft: Baker Mayfield uses criticism from analysts to motivate him

One of the more intriguing quarterbacks heading into the 2018 NFL Draft is Baker Mayfield. He may not be getting serious consideration at No. 1 or No. 2, but Mayfield is unique. The Oklahoma product is using all the criticism he's received as motivation.

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, former Oklahoma star quarterback Baker Mayfield has been one of the most scrutinized prospects at his position. There has been plenty of criticism tossed his way for various reasons aside from his performance on the field.

This has ranged from his height, an arrest involving alcohol to his sometimes questionable behavior on the field. According to Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated, Mayfield reportedly keeps a list of all the analysts that have doubted him as a source of motivation.

Today, Mayfield is keeping a list of the media members who have crossed a line, he says, and he stores screenshots of offending tweets in his phone. All of it serves as motivation when he’s working out alone, he told Wilson.

Mayfield has had more than his fair share of criticism thrown his way with much of that targeting his behavior on and off the field. He has had a few question decision such as grabbing his crotch in a blowout win over Kansas after players from the team refused to shake his hand prior to the start of the game. Mayfield had also made the decision to plant the Oklahoma flag in the middle of the field after beating Ohio State.

It hasn't just been one isolated incident for the 22-year-old that has drawn this strong level of criticism. However, he has shown to have plenty of potential on the field after putting together a well-decorated collegiate career at Oklahoma. Mayfield is coming off a stellar senior campaign where he led the nation’s most productive offense while completing 71 percent of his passes for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdown passes that helped him earn the Heisman Trophy award.

His potential on the field has led to him receiving much attention from teams around the league looking to land him early in the first round of the upcoming draft with the New York Jets being the rumored destination at the third overall selection. Ultimately, Mayfield will have the opportunity in front of him to prove his doubters wrong wherever he winds up landing next month.