Who Should I Start? Evan Engram or James Mitchell

Wednesday, April 2, 12:32 AM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that new tight end Evan Engram fits the Joker role well. "I'm excited," Payton said. "The vision is pretty clear. Obviously we feel like he's someone who can run, gives us a passing threat on third down and in the red zone. He's got good body control and I think he's really good when he gets the ball in his hands. His run-after-catch numbers, statistically-wise, have been good." The 30-year-old former 23rd overall pick by the New York Giants in 2017 out of Mississippi had a career year in Jacksonville with 114 catches, 963 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. He played in only nine games in 2024, though before needing surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder. However, as a likely high-volume target for quarterback Bo Nix, Engram will have clear bounce-back potential in fantasy and will be a nice low-end TE1 target with upside.

Tuesday, January 21, 10:17 PM

The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end James Mitchell and outside linebacker Boogie Basham to Reserve/Futures deals. Mitchell was a former fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in 2022 out of Virginia Tech. He was with the Lions on their practice squad in 2024 and will now try to make Carolina's active 53-man roster for the 2025 season. In 30 games over three seasons in the NFL, he has only recorded 13 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown in Detroit. Basham, meanwhile, was a second-round selection by the Buffalo Bills in 2021 out of Wake Forest. He'll reunite with general manager Dan Morgan, who was in Buffalo's front office when he was drafted. In 40 games over his four years in the NFL, Basham has 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the New York Giants in 2023.