Fantasy football - How much does Baker Mayfield shift fantasy values in Carolina?

The Carolina Panthers have a new quarterback on their roster after trading for Baker Mayfield. The No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Mayfield played four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and finished his time there with 14,125 passing yards, 92 touchdowns and 56 interceptions. That resulted in 15.9 fantasy points per game, which left him on the waiver wire in most leagues in his final season with the Browns.

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Carolina didn't give up a ton for him, sending a 2024 fifth-round pick. And in order for this deal to come fruition, the Browns agreed to pay $10.5 million of Mayfield's 2022 salary ($18 million). This was a price the Panthers were willing to pay considering how dismal the quarterback play was in Carolina last season with Sam Darnold starting 11 games and averaging only 14.2 fantasy points per game.

The Panthers ranked 14th in pass attempts per game (35.2), but only averaged 190.5 passing yards per game. Only the Chicago Bears (188.6), New York Giants (188.0) and New Orleans Saints (187.4) averaged fewer. It's no wonder the Panthers were willing to roll the dice on Mayfield.

So how will Mayfield do with a change of scenery? While Mayfield isn't likely the long-term solution for the Panthers at quarterback, it gives them a chance to be more competitive in 2022. This news also provides fantasy managers a glimmer of optimism when evaluating Carolina players heading into drafts this summer. As a reminder, Mayfield is only one season removed from a solid 2020 campaign where he led the Browns to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance for the first time since 2002. He threw for 3,563 yards and 26