Baker Mayfield next team odds: Panthers, Seahawks, Falcons, Saints only realistic landing spots after Colts' trade for Matt Ryan

With the Cleveland Browns acquiring Deshaun Watson last week, that means former No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield will be traded by Cleveland sooner rather than later. Mayfield reportedly was hoping to land with the Indianapolis Colts, but they are no longer an option after acquiring 37-year-old Matt Ryan from Atlanta for a third-round pick Monday. SportsLine oddsmakers list the favorites as Mayfield's next team now that Indy is out and with Houston not wanting him in the Watson deal.

There is one more quarterback domino yet to fall that could affect where Mayfield goes: San Francisco's Jimmy Garoppolo, who also is likely to be dealt. Mayfield clearly has a much higher ceiling, but both have just one year left on their contracts (Mayfield at $18.8 million).

The Falcons perhaps could look at Mayfield now that they added a third-round pick in the Ryan deal – and it won't even cost a third-rounder for Mayfield -- or they may choose to draft a QB at No. 8 overall next month and start the full-blown rebuild.

The entire NFC South actually needs a quarterback other than Tampa Bay. Carolina and New Orleans were both in on Watson. The Saints could choose to re-sign Jameis Winston now since they know him. (Update: The Saints did just re-sign Winston so we are taking them off this list.) The Panthers may have to find a taker for Sam Darnold's terrible contract before trading for Mayfield.

The only other realistic landing spot is Seattle after the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson. Right now, Drew Lock is the No. 1 quarterback on the roster, and while Mayfield certainly regressed in 2021, he's a lot better than Lock. Seattle does have the cap space to absorb Mayfield's contract.

A long-shot possibility is the Detroit Lions, but they can't simply cut Jared Goff because of a $41.1 million dead cap hit. The Lions also might prefer to draft their QB of the future probably not with the No. 2 overall pick next month but perhaps No. 32, which came for the Rams in the Goff/Matthew Stafford trade.  Detroit has John Dorsey on the staff as a senior personnel executive and Dorsey was the man who drafted Mayfield as Browns GM in '17.

The Titans say they are committed to Ryan Tannehill … but should they be? At worst, Mayfield can push him and be a massive upgrade as the backup over Logan Woodside for one year.

One wonders if teams like Pittsburgh and Washington would have been better off waiting on adding Mitchell Trubisky and Carson Wentz, respectively, when they could have had Mayfield – although it's hard to see the Browns trading him to the bitter-rival Steelers.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Baker Mayfield be playing for Week 1 of the 2022 season?

• Seahawks +200
• Panthers +300
• Falcons +500
• Lions +1000
  
• Titans +1500

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on The Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short and sweet and to put some green in your pocket. The Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss The Early Edge specials and live shows!