In case you have been sleeping under a rock for the past 24 hours, the NFL got some major news with quarterback Baker Mayfield being traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers for a 5th round draft selection in 2024. This sent a shockwave through the fantasy football community yesterday. How much will Mayfield really effect the fantasy football world? Only time can tell.
While some would argue there’s a lot to breakdown here, I think the fantasy outlook for the Panthers offensive unit stays about the same. Regardless there’s certainly an argument to be made in either direction. So let’s take an in depth look at the Panthers top players from a fantasy perspective.
BREAKING: Panthers acquiring QB Baker Mayfield for a 2024 conditional 5th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/l3t1IXpwDz
— NFL (@NFL) July 6, 2022
Baker Mayfield:
There’s no denying Mayfield had a tough year from a real life football and a fantasy football perspective last season. The former first round selection played through a shoulder labrum tear in his left shoulder last season, and it showed on the field. On top of that Mayfield looked uncomfortable in the Browns’ offense, and things got ugly towards the end of the season as trade rumors began to surface.
Mayfield finished as QB 25 playing through 14 total games in 2021. He had 3010 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Mayfield added one rushing touchdown on the ground, but also had six fumbles. It was certainly not Mayfield’s best year statistically, but many are taking note to the fact that Mayfield was hurt all year. Rewind to 2020, Mayfield finished as QB 18, and finished the year with over 3500 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, to just 8 interceptions. Not to mention the Browns had a winning record of 11-5 and made a playoff push.
With all that being said Mayfield had shoulder surgery in January and should be able to enter the season healthy. It’s no secret that Mayfield will be playing with a chip on his shoulder. The stakes will be high for Mayfield, who plays his former team week 1 of the regular season. I like the potential upside in Mayfield, who is available at the end of mock drafts. He won’t be a starting quarterback target in fantasy drafts, outside of very deep leagues. I think he’s an affordable best ball target as a QB3 as well.
Overall I don’t see Mayfield finishing within the top 15 at the position, especially going to a team with a worse offensive line. At the end of the day I’m rooting for Mayfield, but he has never been a top fantasy target at quarterback.
Welcome to Carolina, @bakermayfield! pic.twitter.com/VRtmQioRMo
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) July 6, 2022
D.J. Moore:
Moore was the talk of the fantasy community yesterday as he’s already been a mid draft target at the wide receiver position. Many members of the fantasy community had Moore sky rocketing in fantasy rankings. There’s no denying Moore is a true talent and one of the most under rated starting receivers in the league. Moore finished as wide receiver 18 in both PPR and standard scoring formats last year. He finished the season with 163 targets, 93 receptions, just over 1150 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns. Moore had a great season, but his fantasy upside really died down after the first four games of the season. He was consistent all year but only scored more than 15 points once after week 4 of the season.
Moore has never had stellar quarterback play and you could certainly argue Mayfield has the potential to be the best quarterback he’s been paired with. Moore has been coming in at an average draft projection of 47 in mock drafts. Honestly, I like him at that same projection after the Mayfield trade, I don’t think the trade is going to have an extreme impact on Moore’s season.
I have no problem targeting him as wide receiver two for fantasy rosters in the fourth round but I wouldn’t reach for him. If you land him after the mid fifth round I think he’s a great value. Historically Moore is consistent in PPR formats but doesn’t offer a ton of upside. Moore has never eclipsed more than four touchdowns in a regular season in his career. Will Mayfield change that? We’ll have to wait and see.
D.J. Moore has a new quarterback 😈 pic.twitter.com/uPNTzUNC3d
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) July 6, 2022
Robbie Anderson & Terrace Marshall:
There’s been some buzz in the fantasy community for the second and third string receivers on the Panthers to go up in value. Anderson who earlier made some discouraging comments about a potential trade for Mayfield, had a disappointing year in 2021. He fell to WR 48 last year in PPR, after finishing as WR 19 in 2020. Anderson finished 2022 with 519 receiving yards off 53 targets, and 5 scores. Marshall had a very disappointing rookie year with only 17 receptions for 138 receiving yards, and no scores through 13 games. The quarterback play was really bad for the Panthers last year, I get it. But before I go targeting either of these receivers I’m going to have to see some proof on the field. Remind me when I need a bench receiver on the waiver wire this year.
Robbie Anderson clears the air about Baker Mayfield joining the Panthers pic.twitter.com/DsKVLjy7fa
— PFF (@PFF) July 6, 2022
Christian McCaffery:
Im going to keep this one short. I don’t care if Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, Brett Favre, Johnny Manziel, Tom Brady, or Ryan Leaf is the starting quarterback for the Panthers, McCaffery will be a top 5 target in all scoring formats this year. When healthy we all know McCaffery is the best player in fantasy football. He’s only played a total of 10 games in the past two seasons but does that really matter?
Even with disappointing almost every fantasy manager with the first selection last year, he’s still crept into the top 5 discussion this year. McCaffery averaged over 23 points in full games he played last year. Did I mention he only scored 2 touchdowns in those games? McCaffery had an average of just over 260 fantasy points per year in years he’s been fully healthy. There’s no denying he will be in the debate for the first overall selection in fantasy football as long as he’s playing football.
Sam Darnold & Matt Corral:
Listen, nobody was targeting either of these quarterbacks before the Panthers traded for Mayfield, I know. But we should note that there will more than likely be an open competition at the quarterback position for the Panthers. I fully agree that Mayfield has the best chance to win that competition. I think he gives the Panthers not only the best chance to win but realistically the best fantasy outlook as well.
But keep in mind the Panthers gave up very little to acquire Mayfield. If things go south Darnold did average 23 fantasy points through the first four games last season, and could be called to action. Rookie quarterback Matt Corral could also be given an opportunity if necessary. Darnold ultimately has visibly struggled with the Jets and Panthers. All I’m saying is we’re going to have an interesting dynamic to monitor at the position as the offseason progresses, but all in all I believe in Mayfield to be the starting signal caller for the team.
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