Who Should I Start? Hunter Long or Mitchell Evans

Wednesday, July 10, 9:10 PM

Working in Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long's favor is the fact that Tyler Higbee (knee) probably isn't going to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. That lone could land Long a spot on the 53-man roster to open the year if Higbee starts on the Physically Unable to Perform list. However, the Rams added Colby Parkinson in the offseason and love the potential of Davis Allen. If one of Nikola Kalinic or Neal Johnson emerges in training camp and the preseason, Long could be out of a roster spot. The 25-year-old finished last year on Injured Reserve after having surgery on his MCL but he was taking part in organized team activities this offseason and should be ready to go this fall. In just four games played in 2023, Long wasn't targeted at all while playing 54 offensive snaps for the Rams.

Monday, August 25, 10:20 AM

The Carolina Panthers spent a late fifth-round pick on Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans, and he's believed to have shown enough through his first training camp to stick with the team in a depth role. While he caught only one pass in his two preseason appearances, he acquitted himself well enough as a blocker to potentially find himself on the right side of the roster bubble. With Tommy Tremble only recently being activated from the PUP list, there could be an opportunity for Evans to see the field early in two-TE sets along with Ja'Tavion Sanders. Evans was one of PFF's highest-rated tight ends in the country before the ACL injury that ended his 2023 season. While the recovery has been long, he has shown enough pass-catching prowess to make him an interesting dynasty stash in leagues with deep benches or taxi squads.