Baker Mayfield gives advice for Bryce Young to overcome height concerns in NFL

One of the biggest criticisms around Baker Mayfield when he headed to the NFL was his height. At 6-foot-1, which is a little shorter than the typical quarterback at the next level.

That debate was also a big part of the conversation this past year. The question heading into the NFL Draft was if Bryce Young would be the choice with the No. 1 overall pick despite his size. At 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, draft analysts were worried about how his skillset would translate to the NFL.

Mayfield was asked about Young’s situation on a “Field Pass” broadcast during the Oklahoma vs. Texas game on Saturday, and he said he’s not worried so much about Young’s height. There are ways to accommodate that. Instead, Mayfield pointed to his weight.

“With him, I worry about — I think he needs to gain a little weight just to protect himself,” Mayfield told Pat McAfee and his crew on the ESPN2 broadcast. “The big boys at the next level can all move, so it’s not like he’s escaping them like he used to.”

Being a shorter quarterback, Mayfield said trust is a big key to success. Plus, instead of seeing over the offensive line, he said seeing through those players is instrumental. That’s just a part of going through progressions, though, and Mayfield said he has to go with his gut.

“A little bit. There’s definitely disadvantages,” Mayfield said. “You’ve got to be able to see through your guys and just trust your progressions if you’re a shorter guy. It is tough. I’d love to be 6’4, but I’m 6’1.”

More on Baker Mayfield, Bryce Young in the NFL

Mayfield has put together a solid NFL career since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018. He threw for more than 3,000 yards in each of his first four seasons before getting traded to the Carolina Panthers. After a whirlwind year, which also saw him finish things out with the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He looks like the Mayfield of old through four games, completing 69.6% of his passes for 882 yards and seven touchdowns — three away from his total last year. Tampa Bay is on a bye week, which allowed him to attend the Red River Rivalry game between Oklahoma and Texas.

As for Bryce Young, he has seen plenty of ups and downs during his rookie season. Through three games — he missed one due to injury — he has completed 65% of his passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are 0-4 this year heading into this week’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.