5 best throws from Mayfield's stellar preseason debut
The Cleveland Browns set the stage to show off their No. 1 pick from April's draft in Thursday's preseason opener against the New York Giants.
And Baker Mayfield delivered.
Here are the rookie's five best throws from an impressive NFL debut.
Back shoulder throw for 1st completionThat's a good looking ball from Baker Mayfield.pic.twitter.com/7bmZvetnvH
- Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 9, 2018
Mayfield showed little hesitation for taking shots downfield Thursday night. On his second drive of the game, he launched a throw to the back shoulder of wide receiver Rashard Higgins for a 26-yard gain.
Steps up in pocket, throws strike over the middleWhat a beauty by @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/xhWfWLPTbI
- CS Nation (@_CSNation_) August 9, 2018
Two passes later, Mayfield and the Browns were faced with a third and long on their own 48-yard line. Mayfield dropped back, stepped up calmly in the pocket, and threw a strike to wide-open receiver C.J. Board over the middle.
Shows patience, threads two defenders for 1st touchdownTHREAD THAT NEEDLE @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/XNPfwkKR9q
- The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 10, 2018
Mayfield, again, showed patience in his first trip to the red zone. He took the snap out of the shotgun, jostled around momentarily, and stepped up to throw a perfect strike between Giants defenders, finding tight end David Njoku for the first touchdown of his NFL career.
Scrambles and throws laser to Antonio CallawayBaker has been MAGIC on 3rd down. ''' @bakermayfield @Browns pic.twitter.com/UWYxx1joXY
- The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 10, 2018
The Browns are hoping to see this connection for many years to come. Mayfield scrambled to his right behind his own 20-yard line before delivering a perfectly placed throw to the sideline where only rookie receiver Antonio Callaway had a chance of hauling it in. The play was reviewed to determine if Callaway had full possession before going out of bounds, and the initial incomplete call was overturned for a 24-yard pickup.
Finds his man on the move and sends Callaway to end zoneBaker Mayfield making throws like a veteran @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/ENfCdyVL3P
- The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 10, 2018
Faced with another third down at the Browns' 46-yard line, Mayfield saved his best for last. He found Callaway again, hitting his receiver in stride. Callaway had only two men left to beat, and he blew past them to go 54 yards to the end zone.
Mayfield was replaced by Brogan Roback to start the next drive, finishing his day 11 of 20 for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
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