Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield enters the 2026 fantasy season as a solid, low-risk QB2 with a real chance to flirt with QB1 value if the offense stays healthy around him. He remains with the Buccaneers and is playing out the final year of his deal after contract extension talks ended before training camp, which adds some real-life drama but doesn’t change his immediate fantasy role much.

The biggest reason to like him is that Tampa Bay still trusts him to pilot a capable passing game, and recent fantasy projections have him in the range of roughly 280 to 285 points with about 25 to 26 touchdown passes and a usable amount of rushing production. That profile puts him in the “draftable in one-QB leagues if you wait on quarterback” bucket, with CBS Sports calling him a QB2 worth targeting after Round 12 and FantasyPros suggesting he can push into top-12 territory if health improves.

The main risk is health and volatility. Recent summer coverage noted concern around injury history and the possibility that he had to play through ailments in Tampa, which is exactly the kind of thing that can turn a steady fantasy starter into a frustrating weekly roller coaster. He also does not have the safety net of a new contract, so if the season goes sideways for the Buccaneers, the offense could become less stable late in the year.

Overall, Mayfield is a strong fantasy target for managers who want a quarterback with a stable floor and a sneaky ceiling. He is not a flashy early-round pick, but his combination of pass volume, scrambling, and a proven command of the offense makes him one of the better mid-round QB bets in 2026, especially if you build your roster around upside elsewhere.