Kyler Murray vs. Baker Mayfield: Who Gets the Nod?

Where you stand on this debate likely depends on how you view “more successful.” Murray’s success against competition will be much tougher, seeing as though he shares a division with the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, a 12-win Seahawks team, and a 9-win Rams team.

Worst-to-first in one season teams aren’t generally an uncommon phenomenon in today’s NFL. But to imagine it in a division with that level of competition feels ambitious. The NFC got tougher this offseason, anchored by Tom Brady joining the Buccaneers, and most of the NFC’s top dog free agents staying put. The Cardinals are also coming into the season with the No. 8 toughest schedule.

And this isn’t to take the coward’s way out; the pipeline for success just feels much easier for the Browns. My guess is that Kyler Murray produces better individual numbers, but the Cleveland Browns should have the better opportunity to make the postseason, even with Lamar Jackson’s Ravens and a resurgent Steelers in tow twice a year.

All things considered, Murray will probably have the better season. It feels safer to trust the sure thing with the proven commodity at head coach than the one going head-first into a new philosophy. Murray by a hair, but expect both of them to show why they were No. 1 picks at the end of the day.

The Choice: Kyler Murray