Baker Mayfield had one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback in recent memory. The number one overall pick played in 14 games (starting 13) and ignited a Cleveland Browns offense that was lethargic before. Mayfield averaged 17.2 fantasy points per game last year and finished the season with 240.1 fantasy points according to Fantasy Data. Though there was a coaching change, the young quarterback wasn’t phased. In fact, he thrived after Hue Jackson left the team. Mayfield should have a solid sophomore campaign in the 2019 season.
Fantasy Football Draft Headquarters
Baker Mayfield Fantasy Football Outlook
Mayfield’s Impressive Rookie Campaign
Mayfield lived up to his status as the number one overall pick in 2018’s NFL Draft. He finished the season with 3725 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. In doing so, Mayfield broke the rookie record for touchdowns passes. Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning previously shared the record with 26 touchdowns. Mayfield’s debut came in the third game of the season against the New York Jets. Although he didn’t throw any touchdowns that game, he led the team to 21-17 fourth-quarter comeback. The Browns started that game down 14-0.
For all of Mayfield’s promising play last season, he was just the 17th overall quarterback in terms of fantasy. Not bad, but there’s definitely room for him to improve. There was inconsistency at coaching, especially at the top. Head coach Hue Jackson led the team to a 2-5-1 record before being let go in late October last year. It became quite obvious that Mayfield and Jackson did not have a good relationship after the team parted ways with the coach. With Jackson gone, the team went 5-3 for the second half of the season. Mayfield threw 19 of his 27 touchdowns after Jackson left the team.
A Promising 2019 For Mayfield
The 2019 season looks bright for Mayfield. His former offensive coordinator is the new head coach. A top five receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. is now his teammate. Add to that the fact that he will have a full 16 game season, and the sky is the limit for Mayfield.
Mayfield had nine games with at least two touchdowns last year. With an added weapon in Beckham, the offense is likely to open up even more. All of the Browns skill players are relatively young and they have a strong nucleus that could be together for a while. It’s not out of the question to project Mayfield as a top ten fantasy quarterback this season. With two extra games and a likely improved offense my prediction is Mayfield will finsih 2019 with 4000 passing yards, 35-40 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Depending on his rushing yards, that would place Mayfield right on the bubble of top ten in fantasy.
Baker Mayfield Average Draft Position
According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Mayfield is currently projected to be the fifth quarterback taken in fantasy football this year (sixth round). That puts him behind Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, and Deshaun Watson. Mayfield is just ahead of Matt Ryan and Drew Brees in this projection.
That’s impressive company for the young signal-caller to find himself in. The sixth round is also realistically the earliest you should be taking a quarterback. Unless of course, you’re reaching for someone like Mahomes. Mayfield is poised for a good sophomore campaign and should make fantasy owners happy.
Fantasy Football Draft Headquarters
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
