Panthers Trade for Baker Mayfield
The Panthers trade for quarterback Baker Mayfield happened on Wednesday July 6th around 1:30 EST. The deal was for a 2024 conditional fifth round pick, and the two teams split the financials the get the deal done. What does this mean for the Panthers fantasy options, and what does it mean for Baker Mayfield himself. Baker’s mental health is definitely going to be more stable. Having a new home was the best case scenario for him. Let’s take a quick dive into how this could play out in Carolina.
A new QB in Carolina: The #Panthers are acquiring former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield from the #Browns for a 2024 conditional 5th-round draft pick, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Deal is pending a physical. All parties split the financials to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/xuTLqosmZm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 6, 2022
Offensive Line
Mayfield played behind one of the best offensive lines in the game the last couple of years. PFF had the Panthers ranked 31st in overall rankings, while the Browns were ranked eighth. The Panthers drafted Ikem Ekwonu in the first round, so they did upgrade one side of the line. We will have to wait and see what kind of pressure Mayfield faces, especially week one against the Browns pass rush.
Weapons
The group of weapons in Carolina is probably the best Baker Mayfield will ave in his career. Christian McCaffrey trumps Nick Chubb as an overall running back, but staying healthy is the key component in that argument. DJ Moore will be the best wide receiver Baker plays with. I give him the edge over an aged Jarvis Landry and hurt Odell Beckham.
Speaking of the Panther’s skill players, you can give everyone a slight bump with a new signal caller in town. DJ Moore now has the best quarterback of his young career, and Robby Anderson may work well as a field stretcher. Baker loved throwing the deep ball to Donovan Peoples-Jones a few times a game. Looking at the running back position, you can expect a substantial amount of dump off passes to McCaffrey. The lack off protection will force Mayfield to get of the ball quickly, and why not have the best security blanket playing in the backfield.
Overall
Overall, the Panthers trade for Baker Mayfield was definitely worth it. He has proven to be a top 32 quarterback when healthy, and Sam Darnold is the complete opposite. If you traded for any Panther’s players or Mayfield himself in the recent weeks, you’ve earned yourself a big win. Happy Fantasy Football everyone.
