Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 12% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has a higher ownership  than one would expect since he wasn’t even the starter when the game began, however some leagues must have weird rules where you can add anyone at any time regardless of when they played. For those of us in normal leagues with normal waivers Mayfield is most likely still available. Mayfield has been named the starter for Cleveland and should keep the job for the remainder of the season. Mayfield rescued Cleveland from yet another loss, coming in and going 17-for-23 with 201 yards and helping Cleveland overcome a 14 point deficit. Although the Browns traded Josh Gordon Mayfield still has decent weapons to work with, led by Jarvis Landry. Even players like Antonio Calloway and David Njoku are better than many of the weapons Cleveland has provided its quarterbacks in past seasons.

Mayfield isn’t an every week start, but an interesting long-term hold or fill-in option. He has a good matchup next week against Oakland, who just allowed four touchdown passes and 332 yards to the Dolphins. He’s only worth starting for owners that may have a quarterback on bye or injured, but as a desperation play you could do worse than Mayfield against Oakland. It gets tough for him after that with matchups against the Ravens and Chargers, but after that it’s soft matchups until the Week 11 bye for Mayfield. Like Allen, Mayfield could prove a lot in coming weeks and in deep leagues he’s worth a stash and an occasional start depending on individual circumstances.