NFL Coaches, Execs & Scouts Rank Baker Mayfield As 10th-Best QB
July 15th, 2025
The NFL world was warned three weeks ago: Major respect was coming Baker Mayfield’s way whether fans and media like it or not.
It’s that time of year, when Jeremy Fowler of ESPN drops results from his annual survey of league executives, coaches and scouts, an exercise to rank the best 10 players at every position. But Fowler squealed very early on Mayfield, saying Mayfield showed up “probably better than most would think.”
Yesterday, Fowler released the QB voting and Mayfield checked in at No. 10.
And he noted this year’s voting was different.
The group is more exclusive this time around. In most years, at least 16 quarterbacks attract significant votes. No longer. Just 12 players had traction this time around — the top 10 plus two honorable mentions. That means that four quarterbacks on contracts of $50 million or more are not under serious consideration for the top 10.
The highest vote placement Mayfield got was No. 5.
…When Mayfield signed a modest one-year deal with Tampa in 2023 and led the Bucs to the playoffs, it was a nice storyline about a former No. 1 pick regaining his footing. When he did it twice and his performance improved, that’s proof of concept.
Only Allen and Jackson have more touchdowns over the past two seasons than Mayfield’s 73.
“Fearless as a thrower and a runner,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “He’s got on-field leadership where teammates want to support him. Much better arm than given credit for. Good mover in the pocket and can rush for yards. Attacks the third level of the defense. When he’s got time [in the pocket], he’s as good as almost anybody right now.”
Last season, Mayfield joined Brady as the only quarterbacks in Buccaneers history with 40 passing touchdowns in a season. Mayfield dominated against the blitz, leading all quarterbacks in completion percentage (72.3%) and passing touchdowns (18) against five or more pass rushers.
“He honestly reminds me of Favre a little bit as far as style of play,” the personnel man said. “He’s got a moxie to him, like, ‘F— you, I’m on the attack.’ And defensive guys feel that presence.”
Joe loved that last take about defensive players feeling Mayfield’s presence. That means he’s striking fear in some teams.
Another top-10-quarterback season from Mayfield really needs to turn into postseason success. The Bucs can’t squander another year of stellar QB play.
July 15th, 2025 at 11:38 am
I wasn’t on the Baker bus when it rolled into Tampa but I’ve got a front row seat now.
July 15th, 2025 at 11:56 am
He strikes fear but it’s also place a huge target on him.
Do you think NFL defenders haven’t all seen the video of trucking a DB and saying “get your weight up”. Running downfield to block for Bucky, repeatedly playing a very physical game.
He’s going to get some cheap shots this year for sure lets hope the refs protect him as well as they do Mahomes. Let’s hope Cody makes any cheap shotter pay for it even it does cost 15 yards.
Baker is now the gunfighter the kids want to take down and make a name for themselves.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Another day, more news from the Baker Mayfield propaganda wing.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Another day, more evidence that if the Bucs would field a merely average pass defense, one that could get off the field on 3rd and 4th downs, more wins and playoff success would’ve already come.
July 15th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Baker Mayfield fell into perfect situation,
An NFC South with unpredictable QBs and Head Coaches
The Bucs has reliability, stability with their GM and HC
I use to always say that Jameis Winston was drafted to fail
Drafted by a franchise with a high turnover rate of players, coaches
A bottom feeding frachise, an unsuccessful useless team
And he was always gonna be the Worst QB in his division
The the NFC South was stable, except for the Bucs
The best QBs, best players, top coaches
That’s why ll applaud the Glazers by extending Licht and Bowles
They know that they are the reason for the Bucs stability
July 15th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Mayfield is a dude that everyone Likes, besides Bucs so called fans on this blog. His teammates love him, coaches love him for what he does for their careers, opposing players even like Mayfield. Up in Lake Tahoe this last weekend, he was shot gunning beers with Kittles, Kelce and fans on the golf course. High caliber players want to play with Mayfield. So people like oneilbuc can go sit in a corner and suck his thumb because this guy will get paid by someone.
Here is your nightmare scenario, Stafford and Mayfield’s contract expire both in 2026, Sean McVay comes knocking on the door. Sure CA has state taxes but exposure in LA is about 30x more than Tampa.
I would hate to see him do that, but the risk is there.
July 15th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
I’m just happy for Baker.
This is a wonderful recognition by essentially a lot of the same people who didn’t even give him a second thought after the 2022 season.
And now, they’re calling him Top 10.
Boy, did we luck out.
(And, btw, I was one of those folks who initially thought signing him was a bad idea).
July 15th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
It’s laughable that Hurts, Herbert, Daniels and Stafford are ranked higher than Baker. This is the year when there will be little doubt that Mayfield is in the Top 5. Can’t wait for Baker to keep proving the point. Wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa doesn’t renegotiate Baker that he could end up in LA after the 2026 season.
July 15th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Here’s one, the only quarterbacks that have had a completion % in the 70’s and thrown 40 TD’s in the same season:
Aaron Rodgers
Drew Brees
Joe Burrow
And….
BM6
Fairly good company to be in.
July 15th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Baker will keep moving up the list. Reduced picks, big in night games, and a deep playoff run will push him up the list.
July 15th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Baker’s taxes…
State Income Tax
Professional athletes typically file taxes in the state where they play, as well as the state where they reside. The state where they play will tax them on their income from games played in that state, while the state where they reside will tax them on their entire income. To avoid double taxation, an athlete’s resident state will give credit for taxes paid to other states. If the state you live in taxes you at a higher rate than the state you played in, then you pay the difference between the two states.
So understand signing with Tampa doesn’t mean you pay no state taxes. It does mean that the Panthers and Saints catch a break when they visit.
21 states have “jock taxes” in their State Code. This means visiting players pay state taxes where the game is played.
That means for example that Baker STILL pays state taxes when the Bucs go to New Orleans and Carolina but not Atlanta, GA doesn’t tax visiting jocks.
Bottom line is accountants know how to make numbers work! State taxes are perhaps a consideration but not very large.
July 15th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
@Vanessa Anne
Kudos to you!!!! An honest poster whose ego is not invested in making a correct call on a sports blog. You are well ahead of many, in particular one who comes to mind who trashed Baker his first and second year and now are crickets.
I truly admire honesty and lack of ego! I’m pretty good on the first but an abysmal failure on the second.
‘
July 15th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Another day another butt hurt Trask fan.
July 15th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Joes, I was just thinking it would be cool if you changed the jersey number on the Joebucsfan.com banner every year to someone you’ve got your eye on.
July 15th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
I suppose it would be #5 this year, eh?
July 15th, 2025 at 8:21 pm
I must admit… I was all in on bake the moment the ink was dry ! 😊
July 15th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Just something funny. I am on my tablet and as I’m reading all the comments posted here there Is a Hooter’s ad on the side of these comments for crab legs on sale for 14.99. Where is Jamiss?
July 16th, 2025 at 12:14 am
Please Jason…just pay him and lock him up long term
We’re not drafting anyone better. period.
July 16th, 2025 at 12:36 am
I think earlier reports of Bake around 6 or 7 are more accurate based on his performance here. Daniels had a great season, but it’s one year, and he has a long way to go. I think he’s around 10. Herbert? Really? No. But, none of this matters it’s all about what’s coming up this season. No QB is as tough, mean or attacking as Baker. Baker is Bull Strong and has an 80 yard arm easy. If Baker was 3 inches taller his numbers would be crazy high. He still makes it work, just like Drew Brees, one of the best to ever play the position. They both lead the same way, from the front, by example, leaving everything they have on the field. I wouldn’t trade Baker for any QB in the NFL right now. He’s 100% the right man to lead the Bucs. Go Bucs!!!