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ESPN Fantasy Football fantasy football takes on Baker Mayfield
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from ESPN Fantasy Football about Baker Mayfield.
22
Insights
9
Positive
6
Negative
Insight ledger
All ESPN Fantasy Football insights about Baker Mayfield
PositiveProjectionOct 30, 2026
Mayfield was the No. 12 fantasy QB last season and should be more popular in 2025. While he isn't having a great fantasy season currently, the source projects he will benefit from favorable matchups ahead. The Falcons permit 271.4 passing yards per game (top-4 worst defense), and Mayfield faces no tough passing defenses on his schedule from here on out, including the Falcons and Saints twice.PositiveValueOct 30, 2026
Mayfield is undervalued at 25.7% rostered for Week 8 against the Falcons. The source dismisses his low Week 7 volume (11 passes) as a result of game script (Buccaneers led 33-6 at halftime), not injury concerns from his thumb. Mayfield looked fine after missing three games. He has enjoyed success against Atlanta in recent seasons: three TDs in the 2024 opener, 277 yards and two TDs in December 2024, and three TDs in each 2023 matchup. The Falcons permit 271.4 passing yards per game (top-4 worst defense), and Mayfield faces no tough passing defenses on his schedule going forward, including the Falcons and Saints twice.PositiveRoleOct 28, 2026
Mayfield's healthy return last week boosted the Buccaneers' offense considerably, leading to a 43-13 win and contributing to Bucky Irving's second game of 20-plus fantasy points in his past three games.NegativeInjuryOct 2, 2026
Mayfield dislocated his thumb in Week 3 and will miss at least three weeks. His injury elevates undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels as the starter. Given the uncertainty, the source recommends avoiding all Tampa Bay pass-catchers if possible, with Irving being the only Tampa Bay player worth starting in Week 4.PositiveProjectionOct 1, 2026
Mayfield is a fantasy deep sleeper due to his dual-threat ability (career 345-1977-23 rushing line), but Tampa Bay's passing volume and efficiency are likely to take a sizable hit following the Daniels trade; he has a long way to go as a passer with only 62% completion rate and a class-high 15.3% off-target rate during his career.NegativeInjurySep 29, 2026
Mayfield's injury proved costly to Knockout managers in Week 3, knocking out 5.9% of teams. His absence from the field has impacted Knockout league results.NegativeInjurySep 28, 2026
Mayfield is dealing with a thumb injury and is likely to be out until at least Week 7, which clouds the outlook for Buccaneers pass catchers like Ted Hurst III.NegativeInjurySep 28, 2026
Mayfield went down late with a thumb injury in the loss to the Vikings and is scheduled to undergo MRI testing Monday. If Mayfield is out for the Week 4 game at Green Bay, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels (Kansas) would be in line to get the start.PositiveMatchupSep 11, 2026
Mayfield is a smash start in Week 1 against the Bengals; despite Cincinnati's offseason addition of Dexter Lawrence II on defense, the Bengals were vulnerable last season especially on the road, making this a favorable matchup for the Buccaneers quarterback.PositiveMatchupSep 9, 2026
Mayfield draws an all-around outstanding fantasy matchup in Week 1 at Cincinnati; the Bengals finished 2025 as the sixth most-favorable matchup for quarterbacks and posted the league's worst pass rush rate. The Buccaneers-Bengals game began Week 1 with the highest over/under, suggesting pass-friendly game flow. Despite Cincinnati adding DTs Jonathan Allen and Dexter Lawrence and DE Boye Mafe in the offseason, they still have significant defensive weaknesses. Mayfield is a high-end superflex/QB2 with top-10 positional scoring potential for Week 1.NegativeProjectionAug 14, 2026
Mayfield's numbers declined last season to 16.0 points per game, but he averaged 21.5 points in 2024. He's an aggressive thrower with sneaky upside as a runner, having rushed for 760 yards over his past two seasons.NegativeProjectionJul 31, 2026
Mayfield is classified as a low-ceiling QB2 available after Round 9, suggesting limited upside and unreliability as a fantasy option in 2026.PositiveProjectionJul 29, 2026
Mayfield posted 20.9 fantasy PPG in Weeks 1-6 last season before declining, but Zachariason sees fringe QB1 upside with a receiving corps of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. Zachariason notes Mayfield is an aggressive thrower with rushing totals exceeding 370 yards in back-to-back seasons, providing additional scoring boost.PositiveProjectionJul 29, 2026
Mayfield posted 20.9 fantasy PPG in Weeks 1-6 last season before declining, but with a receiving corps of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan, Zachariason sees fringe QB1 potential. Mayfield is an aggressive thrower with rushing upside (370+ yards in back-to-back seasons).NegativeProjectionJul 28, 2026
Ranked QB18 in ESPN's 2026 fantasy football flex and superflex rankings.PositiveProjectionJul 28, 2026
Ranked 43rd overall in ESPN's 2026 PPR superflex rankings as QB18, reflecting solid quarterback scoring potential.NegativeProjectionJul 22, 2026
Mayfield is listed as an other candidate in the quarterback breakout category, following the pattern of veteran quarterbacks who have delivered top-10 fantasy finishes.NegativeRoleJul 22, 2026
Mayfield's injuries in 2025 are cited as a partial explanation for Egbuka's slow finish (one TD and 7.8 PPG over final 12 games), suggesting his health status impacts Egbuka's 2026 ceiling.NegativeProjectionNo date
Mayfield returned from a thumb injury after missing three games and, despite posting only 6.66 points in Sunday's blowout win over the Panthers, his limited volume should not concern fantasy managers. He is a top-12 fantasy QB in each of the past three seasons and will throw more than 11 passes against the Falcons. Mayfield also benefits from an enticing schedule with games versus the Lions, Panthers again, and two Saints matchups during the final month.NegativeProjectionNo date
Surprisingly returned to practice this week and is active for Week 7 with thumb injury. This is more of a boost for Tampa Bay's pass catchers; source recommends 'wait and see' approach with Mayfield. Alternative QB options include C.J. Stroud and Aaron Rodgers.NegativeProjectionNo date
Baker Mayfield is not recommended for immediate dropping but may be dropped soon; he is owned in 30.1% of ESPN leagues.NegativeProjectionNo date
Baker Mayfield had a 16-2 TD-INT ratio from Weeks 1-10 but regressed to 10-9 from Weeks 11-19. The source notes two possible narratives: a motivated Mayfield seeking a new contract could regain early-season form, or without Mike Evans he could remain in late-season form. WR Emeka Egbuka's performance matters; he averaged 89 yards and five touchdowns in the first five weeks of 2025.