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Baker Mayfield 2022 NFL Player Outlook: The Panthers New QB1?
2 years agoFormer Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers this offseason for a fifth-round pick after four seasons at the helm. After compiling a 29-30 career record as a starter and leading Cleveland to their first playoff win since 1994, things spiraled out of control for Mayfield in 2021 after he tried to play through a torn labrum injury. He was held out of three games and barely hit 3,000 yards passing while throwing 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions as the Browns finished 8-9. The 27-year-old now joins a Panthers team with elite weapons in running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver DJ Moore. With Head Coach Matt Rhule fighting for his job in 2022, Mayfield is likely to be the Week 1 starter after Sam Darnold admitted to "seeing ghosts" last season as well as rookie Matt Corral likely needing more time to develop. Mayfield doesn't offer much upside in terms of rushing for fantasy, but his value is so low there is room for him to be a value in Superflex formats for 2022. Mayfield had a great rookie campaign in 2018 and was solid in 2020, but his 2019 and 2021 campaigns were less than desirable. Can he regain his form in Carolina and be their quarterback of the future? Mayfield has finished 25th, 25th, and 26th in fantasy PPG in the past three seasons. He did average 8.2 air yards per attempt in 2021 (good for eighth) and should thrive in the deep passing game with Moore. His current ADP is QB25 and 194.5 overall. Mayfield is nothing more than a streaming option in one quarterback league formats at this time.
Source: USA Today
Source: USA Today
