Ranking Baker Mayfield's 6 best trade fits, landing spots from Colts to Buccaneers

Vinnie Iyer

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Ranking Baker Mayfield's 6 best trade fits, landing spots from Colts to Buccaneers image

Baker Mayfield requested to be traded from the Browns on Thursday after Cleveland failed to land Deshaun Watson in a trade. Cleveland reportedly was not willing to trade him.

But Watson changed his mind on going to the Browns, and now Cleveland is changing its mind on trading Mayfield. The Browns are now going to begin the process of shopping the 2018 first overall pick.

Mayfield's love letter to Cleveland on Tuesday also sounded like a goodbye letter for the Browns quarterback on the same day the Browns met with Watson. Mayfield has been the team's franchise QB since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2017. He helped end the franchise's playoff drought in 2020 and also won a playoff game.

But his shaky injury-riddled 2021 season kept the Browns from extending his contract to 2023 and beyond and prompted them to trade for the Watson.

Mayfield deserves a better situation, and the Browns will oblige by trading him soon.

But, is there a market for him?

The Sporting News explores the top landing spots for Mayfield's services:

MORE: Deshaun Watson to Browns trade grades

Ranking Baker Mayfield's best trade fits

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' revolving door at quarterback that just showed Carson Wentz the exit is still open for a new veteran entrant as the expected deal for the 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo hasn't gone down yet. The Browns should now try to beat the Niners to the punch. As it stands, too, Mayfield is interested in joining the Colts.

Mayfield would benefit from playing off another strong running game and Jonathan Taylor and another solid defense. Frank Reich can be a good settling influence on Mayfield to improve his efficiency. Michael Pittman Jr.'s size and strength would make him a good No. 1 target for Mayfield.  This also represents Mayfield's only alternative for starting for another AFC playoff contender.

It appears this might be the most viable option. 

2. New Orleans Saints

Someone will be not be getting Watson among the hottest suitors. The Saints, with their massive salary-cap issues and requirement to part with several key high-priced veterans, were squeezed out by the others. Jameis Winston is a free agent coming off a torn ACL and there's no Sean Payton to feel as awesome about Taysom Hill.

Mayfield on the Bayou would have some upside as a NFC starter, knowing that a strong offensive line (even minus Terron Armstead), Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas are part of his support system. Mayfield has the skill set to settle well into the offense and rebound as a starter.

However, after the Watson news broke, the Saints' QB options became a bit more clear after missing out in the QB sweepstakes. 

MORE: Ranking the NFL's best free agent QBs

3. Carolina Panthers

As the Panthers are not getting Watson either, then the big question is whether Mayfield would be an upgrade over 2017 first-round draft mate Sam Darnold. The answer is yes, from arm, athleticism and even durability at this point..

On top of having the No. 1 overall pick and Heisman moxie of Cam Newton, Mayfield can play off Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore well, knowing the Panthers should add a much-needed rock of a left tackle in the first round of the draft.

4. Detroit Lions

This team moved on from Matthew Stafford to use Jared Goff as a bridge. It should be in play for taking a quarterback No. 32 overall in the draft. But as Detroit is assembling a good line and some intriguing skill players (D'Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.J. Chark, T.J. Hockenson), adding Mayfield vs. tapping into a shallow QB class can be a nice part of that uptick, given he helped stabilize another long beleaguered franchise at the most important position. 

GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell have someone who can help them make them consider it in senior personnel executive John Dorsey — the man who drafted Mayfield as Browns GM in '17.

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5. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons also fell out of the Watson trade mix. They should think about a reasonable trade for Mayfield to stash as a potential successor to Matt Ryan, much the Saints did with Winston behind Drew Brees in 2020. Coach Arthur Smith has a good run-oriented offensive system and the Falcons should be working on upgrading the skill players, line and defense in the draft. Calvin Ridley's return at wide receiver can be tied with Mayfield's potential promotion, too. 

The Falcons are in a bit of a predicament, too, after actively shopping their QB, which turned into a losing bid. 

Ryan will turn 38 in 2023 while Mayfield is 10 years his junior with a chance to be a near-future long-term solution in Atlanta. Ryan's new cap number for 2022 is $36,662,500 and his new base salary is $8.75 million. Adding Mayfield's $18.8 million doesn't appear financially viable.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After mentioning one team from the AFC South, let's go for all of the NFC South thinking about Mayfield. Bruce Arians and the Bucs and Bruce Arians were tied to maybe going after Mayfield before Tom Brady returned from retirement. GM Jason Licht shouldn't stop considering adding Mayfield as a backup for Brady. Blaine Gabbert remains a free agent and second-year second-rounder Kyle Trask isn't ready for that role.

Spending a year behind Brady and absorbing top passing game knowledge from Arians and Byron Leftwich can be great for Mayfield. Should Brady follow through and retire next year at 45, then Mayfield would inherit a sturdy line, great weapons and playmaking defense. Brady would be the ultimate bridge to handoff Mayfield an established NFC contender, throwing his rings to Mayfield much like he did in the classic "NFL 100 commercial."

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.