A story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer indicates that Baker Mayfield is a long way from competing with Tyrod Taylor for the starting job. Not exactly a surprise, with Taylor a full-time NFL starter the last three years and Mayfield a green rookie. Hue Jackson has said all along that Taylor would be the starter.
As long as Taylor keeps the starting job, there's some fantasy value. Not necessarily as a passer, but for his running ability. Taylor was one of the league's most productive running quarterbacks a year ago, and Cleveland is an offense that is used to having that kind of player behind center.
A year ago, only three regular starters rushed for more yards per game than Taylor. Ranking 5th in that department was the Browns' primary starter, DeShone Kizer, and also showing up in the top 15 in his limited work was another Brown, Kevin Hogan.
| QB RUSHING, 2017 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Lng | Y/A | Y/G |
| Cam Newton, Car. | 139 | 754 | 6 | 69 | 5.4 | 47.1 |
| Deshaun Watson, Hou. | 36 | 269 | 2 | 49 | 7.5 | 38.4 |
| Russell Wilson, Sea. | 95 | 586 | 3 | 31 | 6.2 | 36.6 |
| Tyrod Taylor, Buff. | 84 | 427 | 4 | 32 | 5.1 | 28.5 |
| DeShone Kizer, Clev. | 77 | 419 | 5 | 20 | 5.4 | 27.9 |
| Brett Hundley, G.B. | 36 | 270 | 2 | 24 | 7.5 | 24.5 |
| Alex Smith, K.C. | 60 | 355 | 1 | 70 | 5.9 | 23.7 |
| Carson Wentz, Phil. | 64 | 299 | 0 | 24 | 4.7 | 23.0 |
| Dak Prescott, Dall. | 57 | 357 | 6 | 21 | 6.3 | 22.3 |
| Marcus Mariota, Tenn. | 60 | 312 | 5 | 34 | 5.2 | 20.8 |
| Mitch Trubisky, Chic. | 41 | 248 | 2 | 46 | 6.0 | 20.7 |
| Blake Bortles, Jac. | 57 | 322 | 2 | 28 | 5.6 | 20.1 |
| C.J. Beathard, S.F. | 26 | 136 | 3 | 16 | 5.2 | 19.4 |
| Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 24 | 126 | 0 | 18 | 5.3 | 18.0 |
| Kevin Hogan, Clev. | 10 | 71 | 0 | 11 | 7.1 | 17.8 |
| Blaine Gabbert, Ariz. | 23 | 82 | 0 | 12 | 3.6 | 16.4 |
| Jacoby Brissett, Ind. | 63 | 260 | 4 | 25 | 4.1 | 16.3 |
| Paxton Lynch, Den. | 5 | 30 | 0 | 11 | 6.0 | 15.0 |
| Bryce Petty, NYJ | 7 | 55 | 0 | 24 | 7.9 | 13.8 |
| T.J. Yates, Hou. | 5 | 51 | 0 | 15 | 10.2 | 12.8 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick, T.B. | 16 | 76 | 0 | 15 | 4.8 | 12.7 |
| Trevor Siemian, Den. | 31 | 127 | 1 | 15 | 4.1 | 11.5 |
| Kirk Cousins, Wash. | 49 | 179 | 4 | 18 | 3.7 | 11.2 |
| Case Keenum, Minn. | 40 | 160 | 1 | 22 | 4.0 | 10.7 |
| Brock Osweiler, Den. | 14 | 64 | 1 | 18 | 4.6 | 10.7 |
| Jameis Winston, T.B. | 33 | 135 | 1 | 17 | 4.1 | 10.4 |
| Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 7 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 1.4 | 10.0 |
Table shows all passers who averaged at least 10 rushing yards per game. Mayfield himself is a productive rusher, of course. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and 21 TDs in his four college seasons, with a pair of seasons over 300 yards.
But in 2018, it will probably be Taylor's show for most of the year, and there's some fantasy potential there. Not the worst choice for those who choose to wait on quarterbacks.
--Andy Richardson