Yeah, Baker Mayfield is cocky, but that's a great thing ... so says Browns legend Earnest Byner, who tells TMZ Sports the QB has the perfect mindset for bringing the franchise back to relevance.
FYI -- Byner knows all about the Browns' struggles ... he was considered the face for Cleveland's 52-year title drought, thanks to his infamous fumble in the 1987 AFC championship game.
But, Byner says he met with several new rookies and vets at a recent team dinner and was blown away by their determination to change the narrative for the historically awful Browns .