Colin Cowherd: Baker Mayfield will be ‘Case Keenum at best, Johnny Manziel at worst’

With the record-setting numbers that Baker Mayfield posted at Oklahoma the last three seasons, it seems that the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner could become the next great NFL franchise quarterback.

That’s not the opinion of FOX Sports radio host Colin Cowherd, the same pundit who once called Mayfield “undraftable.” 

Cowherd said during an episode of The Herd that Mayfield’s NFL career, at best, may resemble that of Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum. On the other hand, Cowherd said the worst case scenario for Mayfield is him evolving into a second edition of Johnny Manziel — a man that Mayfield has continually distanced himself from amid comparisons between the two.

Sam Darnold – High End: Brett Favre / Low End: Andrew Luck
Josh Allen – High End: Jay Cutler / Low End: JaMarcus Russell@ColinCowherd unveils High/Low End comparisons for NFL QB prospects pic.twitter.com/IWs3rPDNJ9

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 11, 2018

“His high end is Case Keenum — accurate, undersized, marginally athletic, good enough arm, and needs a lot of help to win. His low end is Johnny Manziel — undersized, unpredictable behavior, runs too much for my taste, and really an overrated athlete. I do believe it is overwhelming closer to Case Keenum — a non-bust — than Johnny Manziel — a complete dumpster-fire.” — Colin Cowherd

Keenum hasn’t exactly been a franchise quarterback. He’s bounced around between six franchises since his NFL career began in 2012. Last season was Keenum’s most successful. He led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-win regular season and an NFC Championship Game appearance before losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.

Manziel, on the other hand, hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2015. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft amid much hype, but was released two years later in March 2016.

Colin Cowherd heaps praise on other 2018 NFL Draft quarterbacks

Still, Mayfield would likely have preferred to hear the words that Cowherd had for quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen.  Cowherd suggested that those two could become the next Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, respectively, at the peak of their careers.

Mayfield ended his three-season run as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback from 2015-2017 with 12,292 passing yards and 119 touchdown passes. The Sooners captured the Big 12 title in all three seasons with at least 11 wins each season.

The 2018 NFL Draft is set to take place from April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mayfield will not be in attendance, as he will watch the event with his family from his hometown of Austin, Texas.