Scholarly/journalistic speculation on Andy Griffith's career in drama if Mayberry hadn't existed?

Elia Kazan’s film A Face in the Crowd (1957) has recently gained some attention as explained in (for example) The Wrap's Andy Griffith’s charismatic but hollow TV personality uses his camera-friendliness to rise to the corridors of power. Sound familiar?; also reprinted here, also discussed in the NYTimes' ‘Demagogues’ Presents Political Kings and Kingmakers. The full movie seems to be currently available on-line.

I'd never known about this film, or any work of Andy Griffith pre-Mayberry. Watching this performance really makes me wonder what roles he might have played or where his career might have gone if it weren't for the popular and successful persona that evolved out of the Andy Taylor character. Of course I don't mean to exclude the possibility the character evolved out of Andy Griffith himself.

I'd like to know if there is any scholarly, or journalistic speculation on the types of dramatic roles that Andy Griffith might have played if the fictitious town of Mayberry or the Andy Taylor character had never existed. I'm not asking if you think such speculation is worthwhile, only if it exists, with hopefully a link or reference so I could read further.

Any recounted items, such as a dramatic role turned down or career advice from directors or others just for example would be particularly welcome.

above: "Original poster for the film A Face in the Crowd". From here.

above: Andy Griffith as “Lonesome” Rhodes, in A Face in the Crowd, from here.

above x2: from IMDB photos

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currently the full film can be viewed here, and the trailer here.