NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/17)
Alex Christenson
(FTN Fantasy is reacting to all the big fantasy news of the offseason! Follow along in our transaction tracker.)
In news that comes as no big surprise, QB Baker Mayfield reportedly agreed to terms Sunday to remain in Tampa Bay, signing a three-year deal worth up to $115 million.
Mayfield’s 2023 season rejuvenated a sagging career, with the former first overall pick passing for a career-best 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns en route to his first career Pro Bowl and a third-place finish in Comeback Player of the Year voting. He also led the Buccaneers to a Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
This after Mayfield had been through three teams in the previous calendar year, getting traded from the Browns to Carolina before the 2022 season and then spending that year with both the Panthers and the Rams.
Baker Mayfield Re-Ups with Tampa, Fantasy Impact
Mayfield finished as the QB10 in fantasy in 2023, his best career fantasy finish (previous best: QB16 as a rookie in 2018). And with all the major targets (WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, pass-catching RB Rachaad White, TE Cade Otton) set to return as well (and Russell Gage set to return from missing 2023), his stable of weaponry is intact. The problems could come in his support system — OC Dave Canales left the Buccaneers this offseason to become the head coach in Carolina, with former Rams and University of Kentucky OC Liam Coen taking over.
Still, Mayfield should be a fine mid- to high-end QB2 in fantasy as long as he and his weapons remain healthy, though don’t be scared to move off him if Coen’s offense veers run-heavier than Canales’ did.
Meanwhile, it was widely expect that Mayfield would stay in Tampa, but this definitely closes off one option to QB-needy teams this offseason. Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson are the top available free agents, with Justin Fields on the trade market and several rookies ready to start in the draft. Mayfield was probably at least a backup option for one of the teams out there in need of a quarterback, and now that backup option is gone.
