Baker Mayfield vs Lamar Jackson: Who Should You Start?
Baker Mayfield (16.6 PPG) and Lamar Jackson (17.1 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Baker Mayfield played 17 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Lamar Jackson suited up 13 times for the Baltimore Ravens.
A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Baker Mayfield sits Week 11 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
