4 major flaws that Carolina Panthers QB Baker Mayfield must rectify
By Dean Jones
Baker Mayfield’s batted passes cost the Carolina Panthers
Tipped passes have been a problem for Baker Mayfield throughout his career. Listed at 6-foot-1, he leads the league in this category since he was taken No. 1 overall in 2018 and things don’t seem to be improving in a different environment.
The Carolina Panthers cannot afford this to continue. Mayfield has five batted balls over the first two games, with opposing defensive fronts knowing full well that they can get their hands up and make things happen even if pressure isn’t generated.
Just how Mayfield and the Panthers can resolve this flaw is anyone’s guess.
Maybe deeper dropbacks might work. But that only pins the Panthers back further and something that would allow secondaries to move forward, pressurizing the wide receivers and tight ends trying to work the middle.
Putting a little more air on the football would also assist. Whether Mayfield’s mechanics would allow him to do this or not is another matter.
There is enough film for defenses to scheme this to their advantage right now. Something that only complicates matters for Ben McAdoo and Mayfield in the long run.
Getting Mayfield out on the move more is another potential option. But this is a major concern whichever way one looks at it.