Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns are set to open up the 2020 NFL season with a big divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. After receiving Super Bowl hype in the preseason last year, the Browns once again failed to live up to the expectations. In fact, the Browns didn't even make the playoffs. In today's piece, however, we're specifically focusing on the Fantasy Football Baker Mayfield implications.
Heading into the offseason, Cleveland knew that changes needed to be made. They started by firing head coach Freddie Kitchens after just one year. Kevin Stefanski is the new head coach of the Browns and many believe that he is exactly what Mayfield needed.
Stefanski came from the Minnesota Vikings where he served as their offensive coordinator. He has already been working well with Mayfield in camp and the Browns' offense is expected to be much better and more consistent. Cleveland certainly has an elite offensive roster for him to work with.
Alongside Mayfield, the Browns have a star running back in Nick Chubb. They also have two star wide receivers in Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Add in the free agency addition of talented tight end Austin Hooper and there is absolutely no reason that the Browns can't have a dynamic and elite offense in 2020.
Not only should the Browns expect a much improved offense, they also need it. They will need it right off the bat in Week 1. Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP, and the Ravens are going to put up points and they always have a good defense as well.
All of that being said, can Baker Mayfield return to star form for the Browns this week against the Ravens?
From a Fantasy Football perspective, Mayfield is going to be a must-play quarterback all season long. He has more weapons than most quarterbacks and his arm has true superstar potential. Cleveland simply needs to put him in a system that gets the most out of him.
Mayfield also needs to be protected better in 2020. Far too often last season, opposing defenses forced Mayfield to make hurried decisions. That is one of the reasons that the Browns went out and signed offensive tackle Jack Conklin in free agency.
Against the Ravens, Mayfield is going to put on a show. Fans are going to enjoy a shootout between Mayfield and Jackson. It may not be a game that goes into the 50's on either side, but the 40's or high 30's are without a doubt in play.
Predicting a game for a quarterback is never an easy task, but there are some reasonable expectations for Mayfield this week. He should be able to end up with 300-350 passing yards and three or four touchdowns. Those numbers are more than doable with the offense that the Browns have put together.
Cleveland hasn't received much hype at all as a contender this offseason. No one truly knows what to expect from the Browns anymore. Mayfield and company will embrace the status of being an “unknown” and will come out and turn heads this week.
Expect to see Baker Mayfield back to looking like a star in Week 1. The Browns brought in a new coach and more weapons for their young quarterback. It's time for Mayfield to step up and prove that he can be the long-term face of the franchise, which is exactly what he will begin doing this week against the Ravens.
Follow Us
Subscribe