Even though Baker Mayfield hasn’t played a single snap of regular-season professional football, one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game, Drew Brees, believes he can be “a lot better” than him.

The Saints will face the Cleveland Browns this weekend, and when Brees was asked about the number one pick of this year’s draft, he told reporters that Mayfield could be a better player than himself due to how skillful he is, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon.

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"I think he can be a lot better than me.”

"Man, he's got all the tools. He's more athletic. He probably can run around better. He's got a stronger arm."

And it’s hard to argue with Brees’ second statement based on Mayfield’s college career. The Browns second quarterback can run better than Drew, he may have a more powerful arm, and the Saints QB is not the most athletic guy of the league. However, to say that Baker Mayfield can be better than him it’s quite a statement. Over the past 18 seasons, Drew Beers has thrown for over 70,000 yards, scored 491 touchdowns and led New Orleans to their only Super Bowl win — earning him the MVP of the game. In addition, he holds multiple NFL records and this season he will break Brett Favre and Peyton Manning’s career passing yards record. So, being “a lot better” than what the Saints quarterback has done, practically means being the greatest of all time, which is something hard to believe about Mayfield.

via:sportsnet.ca

Although it’s understandable that Brees has a certain affinity with Baker Mayfield since both players have a similar story. They are both from Austin Texas — where each won a Texas state championship, they were both underrecruited after that, they are 6-feet quarterbacks, and their game style is pretty similar. So, there are reasons for Brees to give some encouraging words to the rookie, although he might have gone a bit too far.

When Mayfield was asked about Brees’ statement he pointed out that it was humbling, but he didn't look overexcited about it, he knows that there are always big expectations on the number one pick.

"It's really cool. It's humbling, but unless I go to work every day, then it's not going to matter. Expectations are one thing, but you've got to do your own. Got to do your own.

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