Should I drop Deshaun Watson for Baker Mayfield?

One scoring page covers these positions; reception points do not affect this comparison.

THE DROP / ADD CALL

Smash: add Baker Mayfield for Deshaun Watson

This week’s projections are 8.3 FP for Deshaun Watson and 12.0 FP for Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield leads by 21.2 FP across the evaluated weeks and holds up in the Weeks 15–18 outlook. These are player forecast totals. Use your league’s playoff weeks and roster needs to make the final call. Deshaun Watson is questionable; an injury designation alone is not a reason to drop him.

Forecast updated Nov 6, 3:14 PM ET

PLAYER TO DROP

Deshaun Watson

QB · CLE · vs NO

Stats & schedule ›

8.3FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

Check current availability

Planning a bid? Deshaun Watson FAAB guide ↗

11.1%rostered on ESPN-0.83 pp recent change

PLAYER TO ADD

Baker Mayfield

QB · TB · vs CHI

Stats & schedule ›

12.0FF projected FP

Nov 8, 8:20 PM ET

23.2%rostered on ESPN-0.49 pp recent change

WHY THIS MOVE?

A better week is only part of the decision.

Deshaun Watson is 11.1% rostered; Baker Mayfield is 23.2% rostered on ESPN. Ownership describes availability across leagues, not yours. Compare the weeks you need covered and the value you give up. A replacement can help now while weakening a later lineup.

Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson projects for 8.3 Standard points against NO this week. His recent scoring average is 12.9 FP. He is rostered in 11.1% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.83 percentage points. His injury designation needs monitoring; it does not by itself justify dropping him. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

FF projection: 8.3 FP
Sleeper: 0.0 FP
FantasyPros: 0.5 FP
Boosted Trees: 15.7 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield projects for 12.0 Standard points against CHI this week. His recent scoring average is 4.0 FP. He is rostered in 23.2% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.49 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

FF projection: 12.0 FP -0.6vs ESPN
ESPN: 12.6 FP
Sleeper: 15.0 FP
FantasyPros: 14.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 15.8 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Roster snapshot Nov 6, 2:30 PM ET. Saved models support the assessment; they are not independent votes. A full roster and league settings are needed to evaluate starter impact.

THE HOLD, NOT JUST THE CLAIM

What comes after this week?

The Drop / Add assessment uses the immediate and future FF outlook together. For a bye replacement, the hold decision starts after the bye. Totals describe the player, not extra points for your roster. Weeks 15–18 are a calendar view; your league’s playoff weeks may differ. Green highlights the higher displayed projection when both outlooks are known; ties and incomplete comparisons stay neutral.

Window	Deshaun Watson	Baker Mayfield
Next 3 weeks	22.6 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	26.7 FPHigher projection2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 10 · cover needed
Remaining regular-season schedule	86.4 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	107.7 FPHigher projection9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 10 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	35.8 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	46.6 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly Drop / Add outlook

Week	Deshaun Watson	Baker Mayfield
Week 9	8.3 FPvs NO	12.0 FPvs CHIHigher projection
Week 10	14.3 FPvs HOUHigher projection	BYE
Week 11	BYE	14.7 FPvs DETHigher projection
Week 12	10.4 FPvs LV	11.7 FPvs CARHigher projection
Week 13	9.0 FPvs CIN	11.2 FPvs LACHigher projection
Week 14	8.7 FPvs ATL	11.5 FPvs BALHigher projection
Week 15	9.0 FPvs NYG	12.9 FPvs NOHigher projection
Week 16	8.3 FPvs BAL	10.8 FPvs ATLHigher projection
Week 17	9.9 FPvs IND	10.3 FPvs LARHigher projection
Week 18	8.6 FPvs CIN	12.6 FPvs NOHigher projection