Two of the 2018 NFL Draft’s five first-round QBs — Baker Mayfield, who went to the Cleveland Browns No. 1 overall, and Lamar Jackson, who was selected at No. 32 by the Baltimore Ravens — were Heisman winners who bookended the annual selection event’s first day.
Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson opened and closed the NFL Draft’s 1st round in Heisman style
Heisman winners were picked No. 1 and No. 32 in the same NFL Draft.
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It’s not the first time multiple Heisman winners went in the first round of the same draft year, however.
Heisman winners drafted together in first round
Draft year | Heisman first-rounders |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Billy Sims, Oklahoma and Charles White, USC |
| 2006 | Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, USC |
| 2010 | Sam Bradford, Oklahoma and Tim Tebow, Florida |
| 2011 | Cam Newton, Auburn and Mark Ingram, Alabama |
| 2015 | Jameis Winston, FSU and Marcus Mariota, Oregon |
Mayfield won the Heisman last season after being historically good for two seasons in a row.
-His passer rating (203.8) is the best all-time, better than 2016 Baker Mayfield (196.4) and 2011 Russell Wilson (191.8).
-His yards per attempt (11.8) is the best all-time, better than 1999 Michael Vick (11.4) and 2016 Baker Mayfield (11.1).
The passer rating gap between Mayfield’s current number and Wilson is the same as the gap between No. 3 Wilson and No. 15 Vernon Adams of Oregon.
Those are both among qualifiers who threw at least 14 passes per game.
Jackson was also a finalist lats year. Jackson won the award in 2016 as a sophomore after setting our eyes on fire all season.
While winning the Heisman doesn’t always translate to NFL success at a high level, both Jackson and Mayfield are special players.
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