Week 7 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Baker Mayfield struggled to get anything going last week against the Lions as he finished with 206 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. It's the first time this season Mayfield has finished without at least one score. Mayfield will try to bounce back this week in an OK matchup against the Falcons. Atlanta is 16th in aFPA to QBs. Atlanta is a weird defense as they've given up the third-fewest pass yards to QBs, but have allowed 10 pass touchdowns which is tied for fifth-highest. Mayfield isn't a top-tier option this week, but he's not the worst fill-in if you have bye week or injury issues at QB. He's slightly inside the top 20 QBs for Week 7.
Week 6 vs. Detroit Lions
Before the Bucs' Week 5 bye, Baker Mayfield delivered his best game of the season with 246 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints. Mayfield has been serviceable so far this season, averaging 220.5 pass yards, 1.8 touchdowns and 15.3 rush yards through four games. This week he gets a decent matchup against the Lions who are 24th in aFPA to QBs. We wouldn't start Mayfield over more trusted names, but he's not a bad bye week or injury replacement if you need someone. He's scored at least one touchdown in every game this season, so he has a decent enough floor to make him a safe choice.
Week 4 at New Orleans Saints
Baker Mayfield was OK last week as he threw for 146 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Mayfield fell victim to a few key drops from his receivers early on, and then just couldn't get many opportunities as the Eagles' offense drained the clock out. Mayfield hasn't been good from a fantasy perspective with just one game with multiple touchdowns and one game above 200 pass yards so far. This week he faces a pretty good Saints defense where we'd expect him to keep putting up modest numbers. He should be viewed as a bottom 10 QB option for Week 4.
Week 3 vs Philadelphia Eagles
Baker Mayfield has been a surprise breakout player through the first two games of the season. In Week 2 he finished with 317 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers. He also added 17 yards on the ground. This week he faces an Eagles defense that has surprisingly given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Philly has allowed the most passing touchdowns (7) as well as the 2nd-most passing yards. It's surprising because last season the Eagles gave up the 3rd-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. This week will be a true test for Mayfield, though. He's been an intriguing option so far, but it's hard to trust him over some of the other options available at the position. Given what the Eagles have allowed so far this season, Mayfield may be a decent streaming option in a pinch, but he's still outside of the top 20 QB options in Week 3.
Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears
Baker Mayfield had an OK debut for the Bucs. He threw for 173 yards with two touchdowns an no interceptions while adding 11 yards on eight carries. Multiple touchdowns are nice, but you'd expect Mayfield to at least top 200 yards given he has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to throw to. Mayfield faces a favorable Bears defense this week that gave up 245 yards and three touchdowns to Jordan Love in Week 1. Mayfield isn't a terrible choice this week, but there are a lot of other quarterbacks that have more promise. Mayfield should be viewed around the QB20 range for Week 2.
Week 1 at Minnesota Vikings
Baker Mayfield officially beat out Kyle Trask for the starting QB job with the Bucs. Mayfield will be trying to fill some big shoes following the departure of Tom Brady. Brady set an NFL record last season for pass attempts, but somehow we don't think Mayfield will match that. Mayfield was OK for the Rams last season, averaging 170 pass yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in five games. He joins a Bucs team with one of the best WR duos in the league in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Having said all that, Mayfield isn't super promising. Maybe he can surprise us all and turn into a good option, but he'll have to prove it first. He's in the bottom 10 of our rankings for Week 1.
Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
In Week 16, Baker Mayfield and the Rams’ offense came alive torching the Broncos for 44 offensive points on the day. Mayfield was extremely efficient completing over 85% of his passes and averaging over eight yards per attempt. What is more impressive is Mayfield did this damage with the limited weapon the Rams have vs. a solid Broncos secondary. It’s amazing to think that this performance came in only his third game with the Rams. This game was the first time this season Mayfield threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns in the same contest.
Heading into Week 17, Mayfield will get another chance to play at home as the Rams will take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers DST is playing well, but they have only faced one top-10 passing offense since they were lit up by the Chiefs back in Week 11. The only notable offense they faced was the reeling Miami Dolphins holding Tua Tagovailoa to 145 yards passing yards and one touchdown. It is a nice turnaround for Mayfield, and his emergence should allow the Rams to move the ball against the Chargers. Finally, Mayfield is only an option in two quarterback leagues, but it might be best to fade the Chargers DST in Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Denver Broncos
After the shocking comeback vs. the Raiders in Week 14, Baker Mayfield and the Rams’ passing offense came crashing back down to earth in Week 15 vs. the Packers. Mayfield went 12-21 for just 111 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. These stats weren’t all on Mayfield as he took five sacks in the game as well. Due to the cold weather and poor offensive line play, he was forced to throw short all day getting very little done in the deep passing game. This is reflected in his 5.3 yards per attempt and 4.6 intended air yards per attempt.
This week the Rams will at least travel back to Los Angeles and will not have to face tough weather conditions in sunny California. However, the matchup will not be easy as they face a stingy Broncos pass defense. The Broncos have allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards, and a league-low 12 touchdown passes to quarterbacks this season. With no teams on a bye over the final few weeks, Mayfield is nothing more than a borderline two-quarterback play in Week 16.
Week 15 at Green Bay Packers
In one of the biggest surprises of the year, Baker Mayfield led the Rams to a win vs. the Raiders after being signed just a few days earlier in the week. Mayfield did struggle for most of the game but was able to take command of the offense in the fourth quarter. Mayfield finished the game by completing 22 of 35 for 230 passing yards, and one score. This performance did come against a Raiders defense that has allowed the fourth most passing yards and fifth most touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. This week Mayfield will get a much tougher test vs. the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have allowed the fewest passing yards this season to quarterbacks. Overall, it ended up being an impressive performance for Mayfield, but until we see him do it against a solid defense it’s best to avoid him outside of the deepest two-quarterback leagues.
Week 2 at New York Giants
Baker Mayfield had a slow start against the Browns last week, but woke up late in the game and nearly pulled off a comeback victory. He wound up with 235 yards, a touchdown, and a pick, while adding six yards and a touchdown on the ground. All in all, it was a nice fantasy day for a streaming-caliber quarterback.
This week, Mayfield faces a Giants defense that struggled last week, despite earning a victory, against the Titans. Ryan Tannehill had an efficient 266 yards and two touchdowns in a close game. The Browns are much better defensively than the Giants, so Mayfield should have an easier time producing. Still, we have him ranked outside streaming territory based on a rocky first-game performance. Look elsewhere if possible.
