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Baker Mayfield's flag-planting Authentic Kemoko Turay Jersey , crotch-grabbing antics didn't deter the Browns. They ignored his height, did their homework on an off-field arrest and cross-checked his character.

Mayfield passed all the tests.

As far as the Browns are concerned, he's nothing like Johnny Manziel 鈥?except for his Heisman Trophy.

After months of dissection and debate, the Browns selected Mayfield, Oklahoma's cocky and charismatic quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday, a somewhat surprising selection by a team that figured to play it safe with such an important decision.

But coming off a 0-16 season, the Browns are betting that Mayfield is a better player than USC's Sam Darnold, Wyoming's Josh Allen or UCLA's Josh Rosen, a talented group regarded as the top QB class in years.

They're also confident he won't be a headache like Manziel, who fizzled out in two party-filled seasons with Cleveland.

"In doing all of our research with Baker Mayfield, he has earned it, from high school, to college, he has earned it," Browns general manager John Dorsey said. "I have no qualms whatsoever about him as a man or as a football player."

The Browns followed Mayfield's selection with another surprise, using the No. 4 pick on Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. Cleveland was thought to be high on North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb or Alabama cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick Luke Falk Jersey Titans , but they instead opted for the speedy Ward, who skipped his senior season with the Buckeyes to turn pro.

Mayfield understands the Manziel comparisons, and the 23-year-old knows there are Cleveland fans who see him as Johnny Football 2.0.

However, Mayfield insists he's his own man.

"Johnny and I are two completely different people," Mayfield said on a conference call from his home in Austin, Texas. "That's nothing against him, but what I've been able to do is be upfront and honest about who I am during these meetings. I'm confident that I showed that with this coaching staff and with the management throughout this process.

"But for me moving forward it's just being myself. I'm not going to go out and try and prove I'm not Johnny, I'm going to be myself and in the end that's going to take care of the rest."

When Dorsey called Mayfield and asked him, "Let me ask you a question, you want to be the first pick in the draft?" Mayfield broke down and cried.

Mayfield said he became emotional after looking around at people who stuck with him through good and bad.

"It just kind of brought out all of the emotions of the tough times that we went through and the good ones," he said. "To think about it all there in that moment, it was going to be a fresh start, and it was a whole lot of emotion packed into one phone call."

At Oklahoma, he was college football's top player last season, passing for 4,627 yards Falcons Justin Bethel Jersey , 43 touchdowns and winning the Heisman last season. But his size (he's just over 6-foot), and the questions about his character following a 2017 arrest in Arkansas and some on-field antics 鈥?a flag planting at Ohio State and lewd gesture at Kansas 鈥?seemed to eliminate him from being picked first.

But as Dorsey, coach Hue Jackson and others in Cleveland's organization spent more time with him, the Browns became convinced that he's the one who can finally end their long search for a franchise quarterback. Cleveland has started 28 QBs since 1999.

"My faith says every man deserves a second chance," Dorsey said. "Young men do certain things. We all learn from our mistakes. I like the guy. I have no problems with a young man making mistakes and moving forward."

Mayfield, who went 33-6 in games he started (he sat out the first quarter of his final game with a suspension) is the fifth quarterback taken in the first round by the Browns in their expansion era 鈥?and first since Manziel.

And although he may be Cleveland's quarterback of the future, the present belongs to Tyrod Taylor, who was acquired during the offseason in a trade from Buffalo. Jackson has already named Taylor as his starter in 2018, and the plan is for Mayfield to develop as a backup.

For now, Mayfield is going along with it.

"That's a veteran that's been in the league," he said. "He's a guy that I could sit behind and learn from. For me, when I say those type of things, it's because I'm competitive. If I came in with the mindset of just being happy I got drafted and just to settle for a backup job, that wouldn't be myself."

This is the second straight year the Browns have picked first. Cleveland addressed a major defensive need and selected defensive end Myles Garrett with the first overall pick in 2017.

Dorsey revamped his secondary with a trade and three free-agent signings. But he was missing a shutdown cornerback and believes he's got one now in Ward, a Cleveland kid who feels he's ready to help his hometown team win.

"I'm very confident in my ability and I look forward to that pressure," Ward said. "Being at Ohio State http://www.philadelphiaeaglesteamonlines.com/avonte-maddox-jersey , there was pressure all the time there. Everybody was on edge there. It's kind of nothing new having the pressure on me."

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco laughed at the notion that he holds a grudge against first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson.

"We welcomed Lamar here with open arms," Flacco said.

The two quarterbacks appeared amiable as they rotated snaps, along with Robert Griffin III, in workouts this week. Flacco was clearly the most polished of the three, zipping passes downfield with almost pinpoint accuracy.

Nonetheless, it is shaping up to be an important season for the veteran Flacco.

He has been assured that he will remain the starter in 2018 but also must consider how his future will be influenced by the presence of the rookie Jackson.

"Obviously, when you pick a quarterback, when you pick anybody in the first round, it means something," Flacco said. "I don't know what that means. I don't know exactly what it is. That's not my job to worry about what it is. My job is to keep my approach exactly what it's been the last 10 years and help my team win football games."

Flacco, 32 threw for 3,141 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2017. Baltimore's passing attack was ranked 29th in the NFL, and that played a key part in the team missing the playoffs for a third straight year.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome signed three free agent receivers 鈥?Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead 鈥?to help improve the passing game. He also selected a pair of tight ends 鈥?Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews 鈥?in the first three rounds of this year's draft.

The Ravens also took Jackson with the 32nd overall pick. He ran for 50 touchdowns and threw for 69 more during an impressive three-run at Louisville.

While Jackson needs more time to develop into effective passer, he is a dynamic athlete that could push for playing time, especially inside the red zone. Flacco Authentic Tarvarius Moore Jersey , however, is not worried about Jackson taking snaps from him.

"Listen, I want to win football games," Flacco said. "Whatever's going to help us win. I'm probably going to maintain that myself under center is our best chance to win football games. But whatever helps us win football games, I'm game."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with Jackson over the recent offseason workouts.

"He is a very talented guy," Harbaugh said. "He has practiced well everytime he has been out here. The toughest thing for him right now is calling the plays. He has never been in that type of system. So, I would say he has made a big jump calling the plays and annunciating the offense."

Harbaugh is not worried about having any type of quarterback controversy on his hands. He dismissed any potential friction between Flacco, Jackson and even Griffin.

"It was much ado about nothing," Harbaugh said. "I never thought it was anything and I know it's not anything."

As for Flacco, he is just concerned about getting the Ravens back on track and ending the postseason drought. He welcomes anyone ready to contribute to that goal.

"I'm worried about right now, myself getting these guys ready to win football games," Flacco said. "Nothing is ever promised to us. That's the reality."

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