Baker Mayfield was one of the more pleasant surprises in fantasy football last year. Left undrafted (or at best, a late-round pick), Mayfield went on to finish 10th in points among quarterbacks in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In fact, he ranked ahead of much more highly touted fantasy options at quarterback such as Tau Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence and even superstar Justin Herbert.
Mayfield picked a great time to have his best NFL season, as he had signed just a one-year deal with the Bucs. Now a free agent, the former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft should have several different options to choose from for next season.
Here are five landing spots where Mayfield would be best served, in terms of both real and fantasy football, as he enters the seventh season of his up-and-down career.
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Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will most likely be targeting Justin Fields or Kirk Cousins, as will most of the teams on this list, but Mayfield could be a backup option. Atlanta has potential on offense, using first-round picks on Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson in the last three seasons. With a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson, who has worked with Sean McVay since 2019, Mayfield would be a late rounder.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are expected to move on from Russell Wilson, leaving a gaping hole at the quarterback position. That hole could potentially be filled by Mayfield, who could certainly benefit from playing in the offense of coach Sean Payton. Denver’s most valuable offensive skill players are all under contract, and playing in the AFC West could mean plenty of chances to score fantasy points for Mayfield next season.
Minnesota Vikings
This is probably not the scenario that Vikings fans would prefer, as keeping Cousins or trading for Fields are more attractive options. But think about Mayfield, coming off a top-10 fantasy campaign, playing with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson! For Mayfield (and let’s be honest, most quarterbacks), this would be a very attractive landing spot and would make him a solid No. 2 fantasy option.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mayfield back in the AFC North? That would be one heck of a storyline for the NFL. He would have a nice arsenal of weapons in the Steel City, as the Steelers boast Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in the ground and the trio of Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth in the passing game. Mayfield wouldn’t be Pittsburgh’s first choice at quarterback, but he’d still hold late-round appeal in fantasy drafts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is maybe the most likely (and the best) option for Mayfield, both on the field and in fantasy leagues. After all, Mayfield is coming off his best fantasy season since his rookie campaign. Of course, this would be a less attractive landing spot for Mayfield if the Buccaneers lost superstar wide receiver Mike Evans to free agency. But if the team is able to “keep the band together,” Mayfield would remain a viable option.
