BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 0% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: In 2020, James Mitchell was a budding tight end for the Virginia Tech Hokies, taking 26 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns in just nine games. One year and one season-ending injury later, the undersized TE still packed enough promise into his 6'3, 255-lb. frame to get drafted in the 5th round (177th overall) by the Detroit Lions. He was stuck on the depth chart behind T.J. Hockenson, but after the Lions dealt their star tight end to the Vikings before last Tuesday's trade deadline, a window of opportunity has cracked open for the heavily slept-on rookie.
In four games of action leading up to the Week 9 matchup against Green Bay, Mitchell had combined for just 21 offensive snaps, zero receptions, and zero targets on the year. However, he caught his lone target in Week 8 vs. the Dolphins for 14 yards, and this past week, Mitchell saw the field for 13 snaps on offense (21%), and caught both balls thrown his way. Granted, he only gained eight yards total on those two receptions, but one of those landed Mitchell in the end zone. His competition at TE in Detroit, Brock Wright, has been on the field a lot this year, but it is clear that his role is not in receiving, and his workload in the passing game doesn't appear to be picking up in the least bit with Hockenson gone. In the deepest of formats, it's hard to find a universally available option at tight end with any real upside, but at this point in 2022, James Mitchell could be a beacon of hope for plenty of truly desperate managers willing to roll the dice.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!