Should I Pickup Baker Mayfield For Fantasy Football Week 17? Waiver Wire Outlook

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a wild season. A year ago, the former Oklahoma star was considered the franchise quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

However, after the team acquired Deshaun Watson, they shipped Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, the veteran quarterback struggled with the Panthers, averaging only 10.5 fantasy points per game.

After losing his starting job, Mayfield asked the team to waive him. The following day he was claimed by the Rams.

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Should I Pickup Baker Mayfield For Week 17?

Since joining Los Angeles, Mayfield has played well. Not even a week after getting claimed, he played against the Las Vegas Raiders. The former Oklahoma star had 230 passing yards and a touchdown, leading the team to a comeback victory.

Furthermore, he has 571 passing yards, four touchdowns, and only one turnover in three games with the Rams.

However, his play hasn’t turned into fantasy production. Mayfield has averaged only 12.7 fantasy points per game with the Rams, making him the QB20 over the past three weeks on a per-game basis.

Meanwhile, he faces the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. The AFC West team has held quarterbacks to only 8.2 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks. During that span, quarterbacks have one passing touchdown against the Chargers while averaging only 157.7 passing yards per contest.

What Quarterback Should I Add Off The Waiver Wire For Week 17?

Instead of adding Mayfield off the waiver wire, fantasy players should add Brock Purdy. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is available in over 65% of ESPN leagues.

Since taking over for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, the rookie quarterback has played well. Purdy has thrown two touchdowns in four straight contests. Last week he had a pair of touchdown passes to George Kittle in the win over the Washington Commanders.

Furthermore, the former Iowa State star has averaged 18.1 fantasy points per game in his three starts this season. Over the past three weeks, Purdy is the QB9, ahead of several big-name quarterbacks, including Tua Tagovailoa, Tom Brady, Justin Herbert, and Justin Fields.

This week he faces the Raiders. They have surrendered 18.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, the sixth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Las Vegas has given up 22 passing touchdowns this year, the 10th-most in the league.

Purdy is an excellent streaming option for Week 17.

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