5 breakout fantasy football stars to pick up for Week 6
By Cody Rivera
1. Baker Mayfield, QB – Cleveland Browns
I had to throw at least one obvious choice in here.
The Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 overall draft choice in 2018, quarterback Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma, was likely left off a lot of fantasy rosters this year because he wasn’t expected to play. Head coach Hue Jackson had been insistent on starting veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor in 2018 while Mayfield was groomed on the sideline.
But after Taylor left Cleveland’s Week 3 game against the New York Jets in the first half with an injury, Mayfield entered and led the Browns to their first victory in almost two years. From that point, it was evident that Mayfield wouldn’t be giving the starting job back to Taylor.
If Mayfield hasn’t been claimed in your league yet, and you’re looking for another quarterback option, you might want to pick him up sooner rather than later. He’s started the last two games for the Browns and hasn’t exactly had a serious breakout game yet.
But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been good for the most part. In Cleveland’s Week 4 game in Oakland, Mayfield threw a pair of touchdowns, but also had two interceptions and two fumbles, which brought his fantasy numbers down to just 12.8. In Week 5, however, he was a little better, throwing a touchdown pass and an interception in Cleveland’s overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens, good for 18 fantasy points.
Next. NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Steelers rise, Jaguars rocked. dark
Mayfield is still adjusting to the NFL and he’s going to have some growing pains here and there, but he has superstar potential and will most likely be putting up big fantasy numbers one day soon. But for now, if you are looking for additional quarterback options, he might be worth a look.
That is, if he hasn’t already been picked up in your league.