Is Baker Mayfield a Good Fit With Case Keenum?
There is one quarterback the Denver Broncos can draft at five that matches a skill set of their new free agent Case Keenum. That is Baker Mayfield.
New Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum admitted he wouldn’t be surprised if the team drafted another quarterback with the fifth pick. There’s a chance Keenum is the long-term answer, but a two-year contract leaves the door open for both possibilities. If the Broncos wanted to draft a quarterback to learn under Case Keenum, then there’s one that makes the most sense. This quarterback is Baker Mayfield.
Let’s take a look into college. Both Case Keenum and Baker Mayfield racked up enormous yardage through the air and threw plenty of touchdowns. Keenum and Mayfield were both part of the spread offense in college. The athleticism of Keenum is vastly underrated. He is not the fastest and quickest, but he’s smart. Same is said for Mayfield.
The other factor is efficiency. In his five-year stretch, Keenum proved to be one of the most competent quarterbacks. He averaged 69 percent and the touchdown to interception ratio was unreal. In three seasons as a starter, Keenum threw for 40+ touchdowns and 15 or less interceptions. His last season saw it all come together. Houston’s quarterback Keenum three for 48 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Now it is Baker Mayfield’s turn. Mayfield started his collegiate career at Texas Tech, but transferred to Oklahoma. Mayfield never threw for 5,000+ yards like Keenum, but Mayfield did rack 40+ touchdowns and same efficiency. One could argue Mayfield had better adeptness than Keenum. However, it is nearly identical. Mayfield never had a season with 10+ interceptions.
As initially outlined above, both Keenum and Mayfield are better athletes than people think. The most impressive similarity of Mayfield and Keenum is standing still in the pocket making accurate throws. If there’s one area that makes coaches proud, it is when protections break down and the quarterback still delivers.
Height is nearly identical, but it is not as big of an issue as scouts make it out to be. Some scouts drool of quarterbacks 6’3-6’5, but Russel Wilson and Drew Brees shut up that narrative like a drum. If quarterbacks can play the position, then that is all that matters.
The only difference between Case Keenum and Baker Mayfield is competitive attitude. Keenum has more swagger than Trevor Siemian, but still has quiet leader qualities. Mayfield has very similar football traits but the swagger the matches a Denver Broncos defense.
Keenum’s professional tape finally took shape with Minnesota becoming a quarterback for a Super Bowl contender. Now Keenum is part of a team he’s finally comfortable with. Yet, due to inconsistencies in the pros, the Denver Broncos will still be in discussions about drafting a quarterback at five.
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Enter Baker Mayfield again. Keenum’s inability to start early is a concern. Which is why Mayfield has a higher ceiling due to the win-at-all-cost attitude. It won’t be a turn off for the Denver Broncos teammates.
The team has other needs besides quarterback, but the Philadelphia Eagles outlined the importance to be two deep at the position. Factor in Keenum’s inconsistency, quarterbacks that will be there at five and amount of homework on Mayfield, it seems logical Mayfield is a good fit.
Denver Broncos might not pick a quarterback, but Mayfield is likely to be there. There’s one quarterback that fits the bill to learn from Keenum and that is Baker Mayfield.