Mayfield has had an interesting career since being the top pick in the 2018 draft. He helped the Cleveland Browns win their first playoff game since their 1999 return but was jettisoned after their ill-fated trade for Deshaun Watson. Following an underwhelming stint with the Carolina Panthers and a brief but promising stay with the Los Angeles Rams, he became the heir to Tom Brady in Tampa.
Since joining the Buccaneers, Mayfield has raised his NFL stock significantly. He’s helped lead two playoff campaigns and appeared in two Pro Bowls while posting a 97.4 quarterback rating with the franchise.
If the Bucs do allow Mayfield to reach free agency, he’ll be the top option on a market that is otherwise headlined by Justin Fields, Joe Flacco, Jacoby Brissett, and Watson.
Teams looking for a long-term answer at quarterback will likely be weighing Mayfield against a 2027 draft class that could be headlined by Arch Manning, Dante Moore, LaNorris Sellers, Darian Mensah, CJ Carr, Drew Mestemaker, and Julian Sayin—though it’s hard to know which QBs will actually declare.
Manning, Mensah, Moore, Mestemaker, Carr, Sellers, and Drake Lindsey were all first-round picks in a June mock draft from Brent Sobleski of the B/R Scouting Department.
While a young quarterback on a rookie contract is always intriguing, though, incoming prospects are always unproven, and not every team will be guaranteed to get its first or second choice. At least a few franchises will need to seriously consider adding Mayfield and spending their draft capital on other positions.
