BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 19% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Baker Mayfield has had a wild football career so far. From being a three-star high school recruit to winning the Heisman and becoming the number-one overall pick in 2018 to having a very turbulent NFL career. Right now, it seems like Baker has found his home and is balling out for the Buccaneers.
Though other QBs have caught up thanks to Baker's bye week, Baker was the QB13 over the first four weeks of the season. Many thought that Baker would have to constantly fight for his starting job with Kyle Trask but his play has been so good that Trask hasn't even played a down so far this season.
“Baker Mayfield has been a reborn quarterback.” 😤 https://t.co/3XNYLp1jp3
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 4, 2023
In four games Baker has thrown seven touchdowns to just two picks while completing 69.6% of his passes. That gives him a sparkling 101.5 passer rating (eighth in the NFL) and 70.2 QBR (sixth in the NFL). He's also avoiding sacks at a historic rate, as only Patrick Mahomes has taken fewer sacks per game than Baker.
Many people are still cautious and skeptical but if you've paid attention, you'd notice that Baker has been extremely comfortable in the Bucs' system and that they're playing to his strengths. He also had an incredible performance against the Saints, who have the fourth-best pass defense in the league. He finished as the QB7 that week.
Mike Evans has gotten his rest after exiting the aforementioned Saints game in the second quarter due to a hamstring issue, and he's already back with his trainer and doing some light running during practice. With Evans, Chris Godwin, and a legitimately great defense that is ninth in the least points allowed per drive, Baker will give the Bucs a chance to win in every game and can lead them to a division title three-peat. Baker is a legit fantasy QB1 option, which is something we haven't been able to say about him since 2020.
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