The Cleveland Browns put themselves in a clumsy place once they went all-in on a blockbuster commerce for controversial QB Deshaun Watson. In the course of the ultimate leg of the Watson commerce course of, the Browns aggressively pursued their eventual franchise QB whereas shunning their incumbent signal-caller, Baker Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield requests a commerce from Browns
With rumors swirling, Mayfield demanded a commerce on Thursday, even earlier than the Browns acquired Watson on Friday. The workforce denied that request after which traded for Watson after he modified his thoughts about coming to Cleveland. Now, the Browns will look to maneuver on from Mayfield — a disgruntled former first general choose — and recoup some commerce belongings that had been despatched to Houston for Watson.
The Browns despatched three first-round picks and a third-round choice to the Texans. In addition they swapped their fourth-round choose for a fifth-round choose. Watson’s commerce worth in comparison with Mayfield’s attraction is sort of a whale shark swimming subsequent to a swordfish.
Baker Mayfield’s commerce worth
Mayfield’s commerce worth is an intriguing debate amongst pundits and followers. Whereas he’s a former first general choose who led the Browns to the playoffs only a yr in the past, he’s not carrying the identical attract of a participant with a franchise QB background.
Mayfield handled a torn labrum all through most of final season and had surgical procedure on the damage in January. Whereas he confirmed toughness by taking part in by means of the damage, his play suffered mightily, as he completed with 3,010 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Browns did not make the playoffs, and Mayfield was sacked 43 instances in simply 14 video games.
Mayfield can be on the ultimate yr of his rookie contract. His assured $18.9 million fifth-year choice wage places him in a clumsy spot on the commerce market.
A workforce buying and selling notable belongings for a QB would sometimes wish to have long-term safety upon arrival, however Mayfield additionally hasn’t performed to the extent of a QB deserving a market-setting extension. To commerce for Mayfield — and his assured one-year wage — a workforce could be rolling the cube. Subsequently, they’ll wish to make a extra calculated gamble.
Mayfield would have leverage with new workforce
Even the Washington Commanders, who had been bashed for buying and selling two third-round picks to the Indianapolis Colts for QB Carson Wentz, had the power to amass a multi-year deal that didn’t must be reworked. Mayfield would have leverage along with his new workforce in the event that they needed to hunt an extension. His deal is absolutely assured, and he might wait out his new workforce to drive them to make use of the franchise tag on him if he performs properly.
It solely takes one workforce’s want to sink or swim a commerce asset. Whereas the Browns possible desire a second- or third-round choose for Mayfield, a squad just like the Colts or the Carolina Panthers might merely wait issues out till the draft and drive the Browns right into a last-minute deal that causes Cleveland to take what it may well get.
A 3rd-round choose appears cheap, particularly for the Colts, who’ve restricted draft assets however loads of cap house to soak up Mayfield’s wage. Nevertheless, for a workforce just like the Panthers, who even have Sam Darnold taking part in on an $18.9 million fifth-year choice, the selection to commerce for Mayfield would possible want to return with an extension to decrease his cap quantity. The Panthers would additionally then must commerce Darnold. It’s additionally price noting that the Panthers’ picks are a lot greater in every spherical than the Colts’ choices.
The Browns traded backup Case Keenum to the Buffalo Payments on Saturday. Whereas Mayfield isn’t prone to see the identical return as Watson — and even Wentz — he ought to be capable to command a minimum of a mid-round choose from his future employer.
Not the one QB available on the market
Mayfield’s commerce worth can be reflective of the market as properly. San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo and Philadelphia Eagles QB Gardner Minshew are additionally accessible on the commerce block. Garoppolo is extra prolific, whereas Minshew is more cost effective.
If the Colts or Panthers balk on the concept of touchdown Mayfield in favor of buying and selling for Garoppolo or Minshew, then Mayfield’s prospects turn into very restricted, maybe solely to the Seattle Seahawks. A one-team market might harm Mayfield’s worth much more.
Finally, the Browns must be in a rush to commerce Mayfield. The QB’s choice is to hitch the Colts, as reported by Professional Soccer Community’s Tony Pauline and Aaron Wilson. Nonetheless, he may not have a selection if Indianapolis decides to look elsewhere.
For Mayfield and the Browns, a fast divorce is right for his commerce market, which ought to hover round a 2022 third-round choose at greatest.
