Adam Hunger/Associated Press The Cleveland Browns and fantasy players may have to look elsewhere after the team announced quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a concussion during Thursday's contest against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Cleveland can at least turn to this year's No. 1 pick and the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner, Baker Mayfield, as an insurance policy. Fantasy players may be slower to insert the rookie into their lineups, but they can take solace in knowing Antonio Callaway and Jarvis Landry will remain options. Here's look how Taylor's injury impacts Cleveland's fantasy landscape. Baker Mayfield Mayfield put up the type of numbers in his final season at Oklahoma that make fantasy players drool: 4,627 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions on his way to the Heisman. What's more, he ran for 1,083 yards and 21 scores during his college career. He can keep plays alive when the pocket breaks down and pick up rushing touchdowns fantasy players don't always receive from their quarterbacks. Video Play Button Videos you might like Mayfield also has plenty of talented targets, such as Landry, Callaway and David Njoku, among others. This isn't to suggest Mayfield should be an immediate fantasy starter, but there is plenty to like. He's at least worth a waiver pickup and is a starting option in deeper leagues given his college production and the talent surrounding him. Antonio Callaway Callaway's fantasy potential was on display in the first half Thursday when he burned past the Jets secondary multiple times. However, Taylor underthrew him on one and missed him on another, limiting the University of Florida product's early impact. Still, that type of speed should allow for a deep ball or two per game, and Mayfield proved in college he can connect on downfield throws. Callaway had 81 receiving yards and a touchdown last week against the New Orleans Saints. He also doesn't have to worry about losing targets to Josh Gordon after the latter's trade to the New England Patriots. Wait to see if Mayfield and Callaway show rapport in their first game or two together, as the latter's a potential flex option. His speed will be conducive to game-changing gains as he develops. Jarvis Landry Landry is still a No. 2 or 3 wide receiver with Mayfield under center. He's a veteran leader, and Mayfield might look toward him as a security blanket. What's more, Landry's been consistently productive in recent years, and Taylor wasn't dominant before his injury. Landry tallied more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2015 and 2016 with the Miami Dolphins and followed up with 987 receiving yards last year. Gordon's departure means he is the de facto No. 1 receiver. Don't take Landry out of your lineup because of Taylor's injury.<doc-sep>The Cleveland Browns didn’t look like they’re going to end their lengthy winless streak on Thursday against the New York Jets at home, at least in the first half, when they found themselves down 14-3 heading into the dugout for the halftime break. What made the Browns’ outlook for the rest of the contest was the injury sustained by Cleveland starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was forced out of the game in the first half with a head injury, later reported as a concussion, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. #Browns QB Tyrod Taylor is out with a concussion. Baker Mayfield will take us home. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2018 Tyrod Taylor was already struggling on the field even before picking up the head injury. At the time of his exit, he had only completed four of his 14 passes for 19 yards. He was also sacked three times for a loss of 22 yards. If anything, he was able to rush for 22 yards on four carries, but it was clear then that the Browns were not going to win the game if Taylor can’t turn things around in the pocket. Taylor’s injury, however, later turned into a blessing in disguise for the Browns. With Taylor out, rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield stepped in as his replacement and rejuvenated Cleveland’s attack in the second half. With Mayfield under center, the Browns erased what was once a 14-point deficit and won the game, 21-17. Taylor is now considered as day-to-day with a concussion and his availability for next week’s road game against the Oakland Raiders is currently cloudy.<doc-sep>Getty Images The Browns officially have ruled out Tyrod Taylor with a concussion. That means the second half belongs to rookie Baker Mayfield, who will have a chance to bring the Browns back for their first victory since Christmas Eve in 2016. The No. 1 overall pick completed 3 of 4 passes for 47 yards on his only drive, which led to a 45-yard field goal by Greg Joseph with 23 seconds remaining in the half. Mayfield also fumbled on a strip-sack by Jordan Jenkins, but Browns offensive lineman Joel Bitonio recovered. Taylor went only 4-of-14 for 19 yards before leaving. He also had four carries for 22 yards. The Jets lead 14-3.<doc-sep>Ron Schwane/Associated Press Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor was ruled out for the second half of Thursday night's game against the New York Jets after he suffered a concussion in the second quarter. The 29-year-old was 4-of-14 passing for 19 yards before exiting. No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield entered in Taylor's place and made his professional debut shortly before halftime. After going winless with DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan in 2017, Cleveland made the move to acquire Taylor in March to provide some relief to the franchise's seemingly endless quarterback carousel. Last season, Taylor helped the Buffalo Bills end a 17-season playoff drought by leading them to a 9-7 record (8-6 in his 14 starts). The seven-year veteran completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,799 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 427 yards and four scores on the ground. He also threw just four interceptions, the fewest in his three years as the Bills' starter. Taylor was just one of many acquisitions the Browns made this offseason to overhaul a roster that couldn't manage a single victory last year. Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde were signed in free agency, and Nick Chubb was drafted in the second round. With the Virginia Tech product under center and several new playmakers around him, Cleveland's offense figured to take a big step forward in 2018 one year after finishing 24th in total offense, 22nd in passing and last in points. Video Play Button Videos you might like Taylor's injury means the future could be now in Cleveland. The quarterback is in the final year of his contract, carrying a $10 million base salary, per Spotrac, and the team drafted Mayfield in April. Coach Hue Jackson made it clear early on that Taylor would be the starting quarterback if healthy. However, if he misses an extended period of time or the injury lingers, Mayfield could have the opportunity to prove he is ready. In the final year of his contract, that could prove to be a costly situation for Taylor.<doc-sep>
Joe Robbins/Getty Images Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield made his NFL debut against the New York Jets Thursday night as starter Tyrod Taylor left the game late in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. The No. 1 overall pick had not appeared in either of Cleveland's first two contests. Taylor failed to lead the Browns to any points in six first-half drives before getting injured, leading the rookie to enter the game trailing 14-0. It would not be long, though, before Mayfield helped his team get on the board. Mayfield got the two-minute (well, 83-second) drill started with a 14-yard completion to Jarvis Landry on his first career pass attempt: On the next play, Mayfield again moved the chains with a 17-yard completion to tight end David Njoku. Just like that, Cleveland was in field-goal range in just two plays. Mayfield suffered his first miscue as a pro on the third play, however, fumbling as he was sacked by Jets linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Fortunately for Mayfield and the Browns, offensive lineman Joel Bitonio was there to pick up the loose football and maintain possession. Video Play Button Videos you might like Cleveland got back in field-goal range with a 16-yard completion to Landry on 2nd-and-18. While the Browns didn't pick up the first down on the next play, they were able to get three points, thanks to new kicker Greg Joseph. Mayfield's first career drive: 3-of-4, 47 passing yards and three points. That comes after the veteran Taylor completed just four of 14 pass attempts for 19 yards—while picking up 22 yards on four rushes—in nearly two full quarters. Cleveland announced at halftime Taylor has been ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a concussion, leaving Mayfield as the Browns' quarterback for the second half.