Who Should I Start? James Mitchell or Luke Schoonmaker

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.

Friday, November 29, 10:18 AM

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught five of six targets for 33 yards during Thursday's Week 13 win over the New York Giants. Schoonmaker established himself early in the contest as four of his five catches came within the first 32 minutes of the game. The 26-year-old has been playing quite admirably in the absence of Jake Ferguson (concussion). Over the last three games, he has 14 catches, 144 yards, one touchdown, and 34.4 fantasy points (PPR). Schoonmaker projects to drop off the fantasy radar as soon as Ferguson returns. However, if Ferguson can't play in Week 14, Schoonmaker would remain an intriguing low-end TE1 option.