Who Should I Start? James Mitchell or Travis Vokolek

Wednesday, September 24, 6:20 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end James Mitchell has an opportunity to make some noise with Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Tommy Tremble will move to the top of the Panthers' TE depth chart with Sanders injured, but he's more of a blocker than a pass-catcher, so Mitchell might have a chance to make some noise going forward in his first year in Carolina. The 26-year-old former fifth-round selection (177th overall) by the Detroit Lions in 2022 out of Virginia Tech has caught all 13 of his targets for 141 yards and one touchdown in 30 games played (one start) in his three NFL seasons with the Lions before joining the Panthers on a reserve/futures contract back in January. Mitchell is only worth a look on the waiver wire in the deepest of fantasy leagues at the moment.

Monday, March 24, 8:30 PM

Exclusive-rights free-agent tight end Travis Vokolek officially signed his one-year tender offer on Monday to return to the Arizona Cardinals. It was merely a formality, as his lone option was to sign and remain with Arizona after they extended him a tender earlier this month. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent will now return in 2025 for his third season with the team. Vokolek has only appeared in three games with the Cardinals in his two seasons in the NFL and has yet to be targeted or catch a pass on offense. The Nebraska alumni will merely be competing for a roster spot in training camp this summer as a special-teamer and for tight end depth. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder originally joined the Cardinals in 2023 after being signed off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad that December. On offense, Vokolek is a blocking-first tight end.