Bruce Arians said the 2018 draft class might have the best group of quarterbacks in 20 years. At the top of his list is Baker Mayfield.
The now-retired Cardinals coach praised the Oklahoma quarterback in a lengthy interview with the Arizona Republic.
"There are so many big, tall, talented guys," Arians said Friday. "I like Baker. His enthusiasm, because it’s real, not false. Got to curb it a little, maybe, but maybe not. Guys respect 'real' in the locker room. If that’s who you really are, they’ll follow you."
Mayfield was the Heisman Trophy winner this past season after throwing for 4,627 yards with 43 touchdowns and six interceptions while leading Oklahoma to a Big 12 championship and berth in the College Football Playoff.
Mayfield is one of the eight quarterbacks who will be at the Senior Bowl next week. The 6-1 Mayfield was placed on the North team's roster, at the request of the Broncos, who pick fifth in the 2018 NFL Draft. Mayfield is the shortest quarterback invited to Mobile, Ala. The other quarterbacks are 6-4 Washington State QB Luke Falk, 6-4 Tanner Lee of Nebraska, 6-5 Josh Allen of Wyoming, 6-3 Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta, 6-4 Kurt Benkert of Virginia, 6-3 Brandon Silvers of Troy, and 6-4 Mike White from Western Kentucky. Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph, who is 6-5 and threw for 4,904 yards with 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions, was invited to the Senior Bowl but a foot injury will prevent him from participating.
"This might be the best year, God, in the last 20 years," said Arians, who will not be traveling to Mobile for the first time in nearly 30 years. "That little thing that’s going to be the difference, to go try to find that out this year would have been intriguing. Who processes information the best? Who’s got the most grit?
"There are maybe five guys, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 with big arms. Mason Rudolph beating my Hokies in the bowl game, dropping dimes in there. It was like, 'Wow, this kid is really good, too.'"
Arians announced his retirement earlier this month, as did quarterback Carson Palmer, leaving the Cardinals with a void at quarterback. Arians said the Cardinals tried to find an heir apparent for Palmer, but "it just never worked out."
"We tried it with Logan (Thomas). I thought Blaine (Gabbert) was going to be the guy, and I still think Blaine is going to be a player. He’s got so much talent," Arians said. "Like last year, we loved Patrick Mahomes (of Texas Tech) and we loved Deshaun Watson (of Clemson). We thought we were going to get one of them, and all of a sudden, boop, somebody trades right in front of you. That’s the hardest thing in the draft: What are we going to give up to go up two spots? And he’s (probably) going fall to you anyways? That’s the beauty of the draft."
He's even considering a job in television to remain "part of the game," but while Arians will miss the annual trip to Alabama, he's also enjoying his free time and has been golfing regularly in Arizona.
"I actually played golf (Thursday) and left my cell phone in my locker," Arians said. "I haven’t had my cell phone off of me in 15 years maybe, or since they made a cell phone.
"I thought about going (to Mobile) just to look at the quarterbacks, but, naw. I think I’ll stay here and play golf. It’s cold in Mobile this week."