NFL Notes: Baker Mayfield, Broncos, Dolphins, Giants

Baker Mayfield

There continues to be talk about Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield’s height and whether he’ll end up being a first-round pick next year.

According to one AFC college scouting director who spoke with Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com, Mayfield is “extremely talented” and possesses “first-round ability.”

“He’s extremely talented,” said one AFC college scouting director. “Guys want to play for him, players believe in him, the staff believes in him. I’ve heard the comparisons to [Drew] Brees, [Johnny] Manziel, [Russell] Wilson, and there’s a little bit of all of them in his game. And he’s not Manziel in terms of the off-field stuff—he studies his ass off, he goes through his progressions, he’s not a typical spread QB. He has first-round ability.”

“Big-time competitor and winner,” an AFC executive tells Breer. “He’s on the short side, but that’s O.K. He’s mobile. Accurate. Passionate. He’s gonna be good.”

Broncos

Broncos executive VP John Elway mentioned Tuesday that no changes to the team’s coaching staff will happen during the season.

“We’re gonna finish the season out and, you know, obviously we know the expectations of the Denver Broncos,” John Elway told Dave Logan of Orange & Blue 760, via Pro Football Talk. “And this has been a tough year. It’s not what the Broncos are about. I’m embarrassed about it, the fact that this has happened, and will do my part to hopefully get this thing turned around next year, and the expectations of Broncos fans should be for us to get this turned around.”

Dolphins

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that the Dolphins could be a team to watch for Eli Manning after the season. However, multiple team sources tell Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that this is “highly unlikely” given their commitment to Ryan Tannehill.
• Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that while it appeared as though the odds were against TE Julius Thomas returning to Miami for the 2018 season, there’s now at least a chance of him getting another shot with the team next year.
• Salguero admits it’s still unlikely that the Dolphins will keep him at his 2018 cap figure of $6.6 million, but if he’s willing to take a pay cut, it possible he could return.
• Dolphins HC Adam Gase explained that Thomas has done everything he’s asked of him this year: “I see it different than it seems everyone else does. He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do. I wish there’s been situations we’ve called plays for him and haven’t been able to get the ball to him either by coverage or the ball didn’t go there for whatever reason. When we’ve asked him to do things in the running game he’s given me max effort.

Giants

Peter King of TheMMQB.com believes the Giants should consider John Dorsey, Dave Gettleman and Marc Ross for their GM vacancy.

Four NFL executives who spoke with King also mentioned a number of potential candidates including:

• Vikings assistant GM George Paton
• Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf
• Eagles VP of player personnel Joe Douglas
• Falcons assistant GM Scott Pioli
• Cardinals VP of player personnel Terry McDonough
• Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta
• Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz
• Cowboys director of director of college and pro personnel Will McClay
• Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin
• Seahawks co-director of pro personnel Scott Fitterer
• Patriots executive Nick Caserio
• ESPN’s Louis Riddick