Mayfield has "inside track" for starting job

QB Baker Mayfield has the "inside track" for the Panthers' starting job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mayfield and QB Sam Darnold have been splitting reps in camp, and that's expected to continue in the preseason, per Rapoport. "Based on the understanding [Mayfield] has of this offense, based on the kind of plays he can make, the kind of command he's already getting inside this locker room, it certainly does seem like it's Baker Mayfield's job to win," Rapoport says. We've projected Mayfield as Carolina's starter since the trade was made back in early July. Mayfield is just a low-end QB2 but should be an upgrade for RB Christian McCaffrey, WR D.J. Moore and the rest of the Panthers' skill-position guys.

The Buccaneers have reached a one-year, $8.5 million deal with QB Baker Mayfield, according to multiple reports. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport had previously talked about the Bucs bringing in Mayfield to compete with former second-round pick Kyle Trask for the starting job. We'd bet on Mayfield winning that competition. But the contract shows that they're not banking on him as a starter. Taylor Heinicke, for example, got a two-year contract worth up to $10 million a year from the Falcons. Mayfield played his way out of Carolina after his Cleveland exit. He gained some praise for the brief Rams stint but compiled just 6.6 yards per pass attempt and a 3.1% TD rate there. Mayfield is far from a lock for any meaningful production going forward. But he's interesting as a QB3 pick late in best ball drafts right now, especially when paired with Tampa Bay WRs Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, or Russell Gage. Gage has been going especially late. So you can potentially pair him with Mayfield using just your final two picks. Not much risk at that point.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says trying to sign QB Baker Mayfield is "certainly going to be a priority" for the Buccaneers in free agency. Rapoport says that would set up a training-camp competition between Mayfield and Kyle Trask, but we'd certainly bet on Mayfield in that scenario. Mayfield is going very late in best ball ADP right now. So go ahead and toss him onto some rosters with WRs Chris Godwin and/or Mike Evans -- and/or Russell Gage. The Gage-Mayfield pairing, in particular, can be had over the final few rounds of your draft. That means very little risk.

Rams QB Baker Mayfield completed 24 of his 28 passes (85.7%) in Sunday's beatdown of the Broncos. He threw for 230 yards and 2 TDs, finding TE Tyler Higbee for both of them. Higbee (94) and Brycen Hopkins (57) combined for 65.7% of Mayfield's yards for the game. Week 17 holds a matchup with the Chargers, who have been a slightly negative scoring matchup for QBs and 8th-worst for TEs.

Rams QB Baker Mayfield completed 12 of 21 attempts for 111 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT in Sunday's loss vs. the Packers. Given how recently the former Panthers and Browns signal-caller arrived in Los Angeles, it is not surprising to see him and the Rams' offense continue to struggle. Mayfield is not on the fantasy radar in Week 16. The Broncos are a stout defense for fantasy purposes and rank as the 6th-toughest matchup for opposing QBs in adjusted fantasy points allowed in 2022. Mayfield is best left on the bench or on the waiver wire in season-long leagues.

The Rams have claimed QB Baker Mayfield off waivers. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that he's expected to fly to L.A. today and "could play" Thursday night against the Raiders. We'll give Schefter benefit of the doubt here and assume that he's saying Mayfield could be on the active roster for that game. We'd be absolutely shocked if the Rams started Mayfield 2 days after claiming him -- especially given how poorly Mayfield played with the Panthers this season. Taking a shot on the former #1 overall pick certainly makes sense for L.A., which has likely lost QB Matthew Stafford for the season. QB John Wolford is also dealing with a neck issue that kept him out of practice Monday. We'd bet on Mayfield seeing the field at some point. The claim means the Rams must pay the remaining $1.35 million on Mayfield's contract, taking that off the books for the Panthers.