NFL quarterback power rankings: AFC North edition

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens shakes hands with Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball after being flushed out of the pocket in the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

3. Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield: 2019 – 3,827 yards, 25 Total TD, 21 INT.

Former team general manager John Dorsey went against the grain when he selected Baker Mayfield with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Mayfield justified that selection.

Mayfield threw for 27 scores and racked up 3,725 passing yards during his rookie tour. Given Odell Beckham Jr. and Nick Chubb before the 2019 season, he looked poised to take a big leap in his progression playing for a contending Browns team.

That did not occur, and Mayfield took a step back. Under the since fired Freddie Kitchens, the offense was stale. Mayfield ended up throwing 21 interceptions, completing a tad over 59 percent of his throws, and had a quarterback rating of 78.8.

Mayfield’s shortcomings were not all his fault last season. However, his stock dropped because he did not build off his successful rookie season. Rather, he looked like a rookie who did not know how to read a defense or make the right decisions on his own.

Kevin Stefanski is now in as head coach, and the additions of Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills to the offensive line will pay dividends for Mayfield. Sacked 40 times last year, giving this offense more time to make plays is a must for Stefanski and Mayfield.

The former Oklahoma Sooner still has a lot of weapons on that offense. With a stronger line, and more innovative play-calling, Mayfield might be able to jump into the top-two rankings.

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