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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL awards show is Feb. 2 and the race for rookie of the year is a tight one between Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Browns QB Baker Mayfield.

Barkley put together a fantastic season, one that featured a cumulative total of 2,000 yards from scrimmage. That feat is one accomplished by only two other rookie running backs in NFL history (Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson). The fact that Barkley did it for a 5-11 team with one of the league's worst graded offensive lines -- according to Pro Football Focus -- makes the feat even more impressive.

While Barkley put together one of the best rookie seasons we have ever seen, he failed to earn the top grade of all rookie running backs. That accolade belongs to the Browns' Nick Chubb. The total grade takes a look at all aspects of the running back position, including the ability to handle pass protection. However, there is no denying that regardless of grade, Barkley put together one fantastic season.

However, the case for Baker Mayfield is strong. Let's take a look at the case for the Browns' signal-caller to win the award.

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Setting rookie records

The single most impressive aspect of Mayfield's rookie year was his ability to set the rookie passing touchdown record despite not getting onto to the field until late in the first half of Week 3. The record was formerly held by Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning at 26. Mayfield went into Week 17 needing three touchdowns to reach 27, and he did just that against the league's highest rated defense.

Mayfield had a touchdown pass in each of his first 13 starts, bested only by Kurt Warner in 1999, and Brad Johnson in 1996. Mayfield was the first rookie quarterback to achieve two consecutive games with a 140 passer rating.

Another fascinating piece of evidence: According to PFF's Mike Renner, Mayfield graded out with the second-highest season total for a rookie in PFF's history. Mayfield's season trailed only Russell Wilson's rookie year despite dropping back 55 more times than Wilson in a pass-heavy offense. The amount of responsibility Mayfield shouldered, and his upper echelon performance, was an impressive rookie feat.

Mayfield finished with 3,725 passing yards, good for sixth all-time in NFL history for a rookie.

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Our Offensive Rookie of the Year is none other than Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns.



(via @PFF_Mike)https://t.co/ZVCewdPjQg pic.twitter.com/GArT2wsGf4 — PFF (@PFF) January 2, 2019

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Big time throws

The biggest signs of quality QB play is the ability to make what Pro Football Focus calls "Big Time Throws" mixed with the ability to protect the football. Mayfield made the best of these two categories this year.

Mayfield made 39 "Big Time Throws," good for third in the NFL. Have a look at the plethora of tough throws Mayfield put on tape this year.

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Another fascinating angle on Mayfield was his ability to protect the ball despite the responsibility placed on his shoulders. The Browns offense often went as far as Mayfield could carry it. Although Mayfield ended with 14 interceptions, he only had 15 turnover-worthy throws according to Pro Football Focus. This is proof of poor luck in the department.

Mayfield was given the ninth-highest QB grade in the PFF system. This stat focuses on all aspects of the position, not just what the stats show you. It focuses on decision-making and accuracy. It tries to eliminate the help others provide and contextualize how well the quarterback is performing by himself. Finishing ninth -- above Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Wentz -- tells you just how impressive Mayfield was on a league-wide basis.

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Changing the course of a franchise

Being drafted by the Browns usually carried a stigma for quarterbacks, often depicted as hopelessly fated to see their dreams perish. But Mayfield was able to turn the script upside down.

Despite being denied a fair competition for the starting quarterback job, Mayfield was able to lead the Browns to seven wins, matching the 2014 Browns for the franchise's most wins in the decade. This is no small feat.

It also can't be ignored that Mayfield was able to handle the high levels of inner turmoil the Browns presented and still find a way to overcome. After just eight weeks, and five starts from Mayfield, the Browns decided to fire their head coach and offensive coordinator. Instead of having a negative impact, it ignited Mayfield's play.

He developed a relationship with Freddie Kitchens and saw a drastic improvement in his performance. He led the league's second highest graded offense from Week 9 on -- trailing only the Saints according to Pro Football Focus.

Mayfield didn't just change the course of the Browns' quarterback position, he was able to boost the receiver group struggling so mightily around midseason. When Mayfield was paired with play-caller and now head coach Freddie Kitchens, the duo elevated the wide receiver play, taking them from nearly last in the league in yards per reception to first from Week 10-17.

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Lapping the competition

When you look at how the other rookies taken alongside Mayfield in the first round performed, there is no comparison. Mayfield finished with a 93.7 passer rating, with Lamar Jackson next best at 84.5. Mayfield threw 27 touchdowns while the other four first-round QBs combined for just 44. Mayfield threw 14 interceptions, compared to the 44 by the other rookies. Mayfield was more productive, and made far fewer mistakes.

Where Mayfield really lapped the competition was in overall PFF grade. His 84.5 grade is far higher than Jackson's 57.0, Josh Allen's 65.3, Sam Darnold's 64.7, and Josh Rosen's 49.1. Mayfield was by far the best rookie at his position, the same position which is far and away more valuable to team success than any other.

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Final thoughts

Barkley has had a phenomenal season. This is not a hit piece to tear him down. He finished second in total rushing yards, and running back receiving production as well. The Giants' rookie deserves his acclaim and consideration for this award. But it doesn't mean he should win it.

For comparison's sake, consider that Barkley was outpaced in overall grade by Chubb, whose numbers extrapolated over 16 games would mirror Barkley's much closer than any rookie QB to Mayfield. Consider also that there are three running backs who are finalists for top rookie (Barkley, Chubb and Denver's Phillip Lindsay) against just one quarterback.

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Nick Chubb finished as the highest-graded running back this season pic.twitter.com/oswy7tCB4u — PFF (@PFF) January 23, 2019

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The dominant rookie quarterback season is quite rare, and when it happens, it should be awarded. Mayfield was rightfully earned seven rookie of the week awards, along with top rookie for November.

Consider this last stat. Pro Football Focus uses a stat found to be very popular in evaluating a player's impact on winning. Baseball uses it heavily to compare players from generation to generation. It's wins above replacement (WAR). The Browns rookie class led the league in WAR, and the one rookie with the best WAR for 2018 was Baker Mayfield.

Credited with the biggest positive impact on his team's chances to win, Mayfield can only hope voters will consider this stat when casting their votes.