Jun 4, 2026, 11:20 AM ET

Chicago White Sox rookie second baseman/outfielder Rikuu Nishida, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 26 prospect, was recently called up from the minors by the Pale Hose, and he had hits in his first two big-league games. The 25-year-old Japanese native was an 11th-round selection by Chicago in the 2023 MLB draft out of the University of Oregon. With Jarred Kelenic being designated for assignment recently, it looks like Nishida will get the opportunity to serve on the strong side of a platoon in Chicago's outfield for the time being against right-handed pitching. Through his first nine games in the big leagues, Nishida has gone 5-for-24 (.208) with two RBI, three runs scored, no walks, and five strikeouts. He only stands at a mere 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, and has zero power. However, Nishida is extremely disciplined at the plate and rarely chases out of the zone. If you're looking for a boost in on-base percentage with some plus speed, Nishida might be worth a look off the waiver wire in much deeper fantasy leagues. Nishida is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jun 4, 2026, 11:20 AM ET

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs, shoulder) is missing a third straight game on Thursday in the series finale in the Bronx against the Cleveland Guardians, per MLB.com. Max Schuemann will make the start in right field for the Yankees and will bat ninth against Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi. Judge is considered day-to-day for now, but he was scheduled to be sent for more testing on what the Yankees are calling a bone bruise in his ribs that is causing soreness in his right shoulder. Until we know more, there's a chance the superstar outfielder will need a stint on the 10-day injured list, so fantasy managers need to plan accordingly. The 34-year-old three-time MVP's recent struggles -- .163 average with one homer, seven walks, and 15 strikeouts in his last 13 games -- could be attributed to his health issue. With Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) still on the IL, the Yankees are dangerously thin in their outfield. If Judge goes on the IL, left-handed-hitting outfield prospect Spencer Jones could return to the majors.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 4, 2026, 11:20 AM ET

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday after just being placed on the 15-day injured list last Friday with inflammation in his right groin, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. It's unclear what is next for Mize, but it's looking like he might be ready to return to the Tigers' starting rotation when he's eligible to come off the IL on June 12. That would only happen if the team feels that he doesn't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Mize doesn't have a ton of strikeout upside, although he does have a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate so far in 2026 in his nine starts for Detroit. After being named an All-Star for the first time in 2025, Mize has gone 2-3 this year with a career-best 2.27 ERA (2.41 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and only 12 walks in 47 2/3 innings pitched. He has a smaller margin for error than other starting pitchers, but he has become more attractive as a matchup-based streamer so far in 2026. Mize is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky

Jun 4, 2026, 10:46 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt has been dealing with some lower-half soreness, but he is expected to return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals held Wetherholt out of the lineup in their win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, and he'll have another day of rest during the team's scheduled off day on Thursday. The Cardinals expect Wetherholt to be ready to roll for the weekend after two days of rest. In his first year in the big leagues, the 23-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2024 out of West Virginia University has hit .249/.357/.400 with a .757 OPS, nine home runs, 25 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across his 225 at-bats. Wetherholt hasn't homered since May 19, but he's hit .286 (14-for-49) with two doubles, an RBI, five runs scored, and two steals in his last 12 games since May 20. Expect him to be back atop the Cardinals' batting order on Friday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold

Jun 4, 2026, 10:19 AM ET

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson caught 45 passes in 2025 for 528 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating a clear chemistry with quarterback Jaxson Dart and finishing as the TE13 or better in six of their nine games played together. However, calls for a true year-three breakout were largely quieted when the Giants committed $26 million in guaranteed money to free agent Isaiah Likely. With Johnson having since fallen to TE40 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, he could now be seen as a low-cost trade target with multiple paths to outperforming expectations. Head coach John Harbaugh arrives from Baltimore, where the Ravens were the only team in 2025 to run more plays out of 12-personnel than out of 11, and new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's successful ability to run an offense through the tight end position is well documented. Johnson is only 25 years old, and in an offense proven desperate for secondary pass catchers by the recent signings of Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Braxton Berrios, he could hold a legitimate role in 2026 and beyond.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 10:19 AM ET

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai was a fantasy difference-maker whenever given volume as a seventh-round rookie in 2025. Twice in his debut season, he handled more than 15 carries in a game, and in those two outings, he averaged 153 rushing yards while scoring 22.2 half-PPR fantasy points per game. He still projects as the 1B to seventh-year veteran D'Andre Swift in what should again be a well-run Bears offense, providing him with a usable floor from the flex spot, while his proven ability to capitalize on an increased workload makes him one of the more attractive handcuffs in the league. That said, there's a chance he's now being overvalued in dynasty leagues, coming into 2026 as RotoBaller's RB27, ranking ahead of several current starters. His rookie season sample size was small, and his best game came against a Bengals defense that allowed a league-worst 2,500 rushing yards. While ultimately unsuccessful, the Bears have been active in trying to acquire top running back talent in each of the past two offseasons, and as a late-Day 3 pick, Monangai is by no means irreplaceable even if he does carve out a larger role in his second season. Monangai is fully capable of taking a sizable step forward in year two, but with his long-term viability less clear, rebuilding dynasty managers would be wise to sell on the back of any growing training camp hype or an early-season boom game.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:45 AM ET

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Keaton Winn got the call to close out his team's 1-0 win over the Brewers on Wednesday night. Winn came in with one out in the eighth inning and two runners on base. He got pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez to ground into a double play, and he returned for the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff double by Christian Yelich to secure the one-run win. The 28-year-old righty has 11 holds in his 26 games this season and earned his first save in Wednesday's win. He has a solid 2.30 ERA and 2.77 FIP, and he has been one of the Giants' best options out of the bullpen. Manager Tony Vitello has used a closer committee all year long, so Winn isn't likely to lock up the full-time job alone. However, he seems to be trending into a bigger role and makes sense as a waiver wire option in deep leagues if you are searching for saves and solid relief innings.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught at least 115 passes and double-digit touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, never falling below 1,250 receiving yards and finishing as the fantasy WR3 in all three seasons. In 2026, it's possible his ceiling could be even higher under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. The buzz out of Detroit through OTAs has been around Petzing's ability to bring balance to an offense that became too reliant on explosive plays in 2025. With St. Brown healthy after sitting out this time last year following an offseason knee surgery, he's been one of several Lions players to express excitement about the new direction of the offense. As the coordinator for the Cardinals in 2025, Petzing helped to transform third-year receiver Michael Wilson into a fantasy league-winner in an offense that also saw Trey McBride set the single-season tight end reception record. While former Pro Bowler Sam LaPorta is expected back in the fold after missing eight games in 2025 with a herniated disc in his back, he is no threat to earn a McBride-level of volume, and St. Brown should be the biggest benefactor of an offense designed to exploit the weaknesses of opposing teams. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR6, the 26-year-old St. Brown continues to be undervalued, but he should remain one of the most reliable fantasy contributors in one of the league's most high-powered offenses for the foreseeable future.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:31 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien took the loss on Tuesday after giving up three runs in the ninth inning, but the team went right back to the 31-year-old righty on Wednesday in a save situation. O'Brien entered to start the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead and walked the leadoff batter, but he escaped with no damage done, getting Josh Jung to fly out to end the game. O'Brien has 15 saves in his 27 games with a 3.95 ERA and 2.66 FIP. While things have been a little bumpy lately, he still seems to be clearly the go-to option for the Cardinals at the end of the game and can continue to be used as a strong closer option, even though he's not quite as dominant as the truly elite relievers.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 9:31 AM ET

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy led the team in 2025 with 105 targets, but inconsistency, drops, and a disconnect with all three starting quarterbacks translated to only 50 receptions, 602 yards, and two scores. The Browns have since spent first and second round picks to bolster the receiver room, adding KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL Draft, but for at least one more season, Jeudy should still have a role in two-receiver sets in a Todd Monken offense built around putting his playmakers in the best position to succeed. As the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, Monken used space and motion to help scheme Zay Flowers to more than 1,200 yards and a WR7 fantasy finish in 2025. In Cleveland, both Jeudy and Concepcion have the versatility to adopt a similar role, and it remains to be seen if one or both will be used comparably, but with Jeudy all but written off after a down year, he's fallen to RotoBaller's WR85. With an opportunity to handle a larger-than-expected workload, he has become a low-cost dynasty depth piece who is still just 27 years old and only one season removed from a career-high 90 receptions for 1,229 yards in 2024.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:31 AM ET

Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader made his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday after dealing with shoulder and biceps issues through the first two months of the season. Hader stepped right back into his closer role for Houston and worked a hitless ninth inning for a save against the Pirates. He did walk a batter and also picked up a strikeout to preserve the 11-9 victory. Hader had a 4.15 ERA in his nine rehab appearances with 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. His stuff looked sharp on Wednesday, and he'll take back over as the primary closer, leaving Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan Abreu without much fantasy value in standard leagues. For as long as he's healthy, Hader has plenty of upside and can be counted on as an elite closer now that he's back.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews is expected to hang up his skates this offseason, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. After missing two years due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and Long COVID, Toews made his NHL comeback in 2025-26. The two-time Stanley Cup champion appeared in all 82 regular-season games, posting 11 goals and 18 assists. He was limited to a third-line role, averaging 14:29 of ice time. Although Toews registered a career-low 29 points, he showed class with a 62.1% face-off win percentage. Toews played on a one-year, $2 million contract this season.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Darren Dreger

Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Alex Lange picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday in his 25th appearance. He gave up a hit and a walk but didn't allow any runs, making a 5-2 lead stand up against the Reds. Lange had 26 saves in 2023 with the Tigers, but he has a 4.33 ERA and 3.77 FIP in his 27 innings in 25 games this year. With Lucas Erceg struggling and Carlos Estevez (shoulder) sidelined, the Royals' bullpen does offer some interesting save opportunities. Lange could be a part of the committee while Estevez continues to work his way back, and he's trending up after allowing only one run in his last 10 games. He's still a speculative addition at this point, but in deep leagues, he's definitely worth watching on the waiver wire if you need saves.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Buffalo wide receiver Skyler Bell is a versatile prospect who has drawn lofty comparisons since the Bills selected him with the 125th pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He caught over 100 passes in his final season at Connecticut for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns, and by most accounts, he has put a shaky rookie minicamp behind him and was seen making plays during Buffalo's final open practice of OTAs on Tuesday. With third-year receiver Keon Coleman absent from the session, Bell reportedly proved a reliable target for Josh Allen in 11-on-11s. The step up in competition from Connecticut to the NFL is a significant one, but Bell's ability to play both inside and outside will help to create multiple paths to playing time. If he can continue to develop chemistry with the perennial MVP-contender under center, then he has a good chance to emerge from the third round of rookie-only drafts as a steady fantasy contributor.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee is heading toward free agency, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. While the Islanders want to keep their captain, talks over a new contract haven't progressed. Lee, who has spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Islanders, is coming off a seven-year, $49 million contract. His production has declined with age, but Lee managed a respectable 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 82 games this season. Lee will turn 36 in a month, but he still appears to have some gas left and could attract plenty of interest in the open market.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Pierre LeBrun

Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper has been awarded the 2025-26 Jack Adams Trophy as the best coach in the NHL. During his 14 years in charge, Cooper has led the Lightning to two Stanley Cup wins and four Finals appearances, but this is the first time he has received the Jack Adams Trophy. Cooper narrowly beat out Buffalo Sabres' Lindy Ruff for the award, earning 226 points, including 36 first-place votes, while Ruff finished second with 223 points and 26 first-place votes. He guided an injury-hit Lightning team to the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. Cooper is the second Lightning head coach to win the Jack Adams Trophy, joining John Tortorella. In January, he became the second-fastest coach in NHL history to reach 600 wins. The 58-year-old has a 622-332-89 record through 1,043 career games.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 4, 2026, 8:32 AM ET

San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox managed only seven points as the team was defeated by the New York Knicks 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. He was the Spurs' lowest-scoring starter, going 3-for-13 from the field and 0-for-4 from three-point range. Across 38 minutes of action, Fox also tallied four rebounds, five assists, and one steal. The two-time All-Star has now finished three of the last four games with single-digit points. He's been hampered by an ankle injury in the playoffs and hasn't shown the sharpness we usually expect from the explosive guard.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 8:32 AM ET

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper molded a hot start into a 16-point, eight-rebound effort in his NBA Finals debut on Wednesday against the New York Knicks. With Harper on fire, the Spurs dominated early, but they struggled in the second half and lost the series opener 105-95. Harper, who finished 6-for-10 from the floor, also had one assist and one steal. The 20-year-old rookie impressed with his maturity and wasn't fazed by the occasion. You could say he was San Antonio's best player, as many of Harper's teammates failed to meet their usual standards. After a slump midway through the Western Conference Finals, Harper has come back strong. He's gone 62.9% from the field over the last three games, averaging 15.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 8:17 AM ET

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle finished a 105-95 loss to the New York Knicks in Wednesday's Finals opener with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. This was his first outing in eight games without any defensive stats. San Antonio struggled to score consistently in Game 1, and it also impacted Castle, who was 7-for-16 from the field and 1-for-5 from behind the arc. With the team desperate to avoid a 2-0 series deficit on home court Friday night, Castle should be determined to make a bigger impact. The 2025 Rookie of the Year has averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists during his first postseason campaign.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 8:17 AM ET

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 26 points in Wednesday's 105-95 Game 1 loss in the 2026 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. He also led the Spurs with 12 rebounds and amassed two assists, one steal, and three blocks. The 22-year-old superstar cooked up a decent line in his Finals debut, though things were far from perfect. Wembanyama committed a game-high six turnovers and finished 6-for-21 from the field, going 2-for-9 from downtown. Nearly half of his points came via a 12-for-13 effort at the charity stripe. After the game, Wembanyama openly admitted he was bad on Wednesday night. He'll aim to rebound in Game 2 on Friday.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 8:17 AM ET

New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart impressed with his rebounding in the NBA Finals opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, grabbing a game-high 15 boards in a 105-95 win. His scoring was limited to three points, but Hart still had a big impact. His line included six assists, four steals, and one block. The 31-year-old had the game's highest plus/minus at plus-22. Hart missed all three attempts from deep and was 1-for-5 overall. He was happy to take a back seat on offense and tried to be effective elsewhere. The Knicks are unlikely to care much about Hart's offensive woes as long as the wins keep coming. With 12 straight victories, Mike Brown's team has posted the second-longest winning streak in NBA playoff history.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 7:43 AM ET

New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double as the team kicked off the 2026 NBA Finals with a 105-95 road win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Towns also had four assists and one block, going 7-for-15 from the field. He missed both attempts from three-point land but was a perfect 4-for-4 with his free throws. In the Finals, Towns faces a tough matchup against Victor Wembanyama, but he played well in Game 1. This could give him additional confidence for the rest of the series.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 4, 2026, 7:36 AM ET

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson led his team to a 105-95 Game 1 victory in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, scoring a game-high 30 points on a 12-for-31 effort from the field. He was huge for his team in the fourth quarter with 13 points as New York turned a tie game into a comfortable road win. Brunson overcame a couple of early injury blows, hurting his right knee and left ankle. This was an impressive Finals debut from Brunson, but he left plenty up his sleeve. In 37 minutes, he managed only two assists and three rebounds, committing four turnovers.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 3, 2026, 11:48 PM ET

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (hip) left Wednesday's game early against the visiting Colorado Rockies in Anaheim with left-hip irritation, according to the team. Before departing early in the fifth inning, Soler went 0-for-2 at the plate with a walk and two strikeouts to drop his season average to .220 and his OPS to .702. He was replaced in right field and in the leadoff spot by Jo Adell. In a blowout, it's possible that the Angels removed Soler early for precautionary reasons, but we should know more about the severity of his hip injury by Thursday. With an off day coming on Thursday, the Cuban slugger could be back in the Angels' starting lineup for the start of another Freeway Series on Friday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Soler came into Wednesday's tilt with Colorado with a .217 average (13-for-60) with just one homer, five RBI, two walks, and 16 strikeouts in his last 15 games, dating back to May 17. He still has notable power, but 30.8% strikeout rate and low on-base percentage are major drawbacks.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Angels PR

Jun 3, 2026, 11:07 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat will not be traded, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Sweat is reportedly unhappy with his contract after signing a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Cardinals in March of last year after the 29-year-old outside linebacker set a new career high with 12 sacks in 17 starts in 2025 in his first year with the team. In addition to his 12 sacks, the former fourth-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 out of Florida State racked up 30 tackles (20 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery out in the desert. Sweat has 55 sacks in his first eight years in the NFL over 121 games (81 starts), with his first seven years coming in Philly. The Cardinals need Sweat to be at his best again if he sticks around in 2026 after they were near the bottom of the NFL in QB pressures and sacks.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Jun 3, 2026, 11:07 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (undisclosed) hasn't thrown in OTA practices last week or this week due to undisclosed "soreness," according to Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. There isn't really any concern that Jones won't be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July. The 27-year-old went 5-3 as the Niners' starter last year in place of the injured Brock Purdy, completing a career-best 69.6% of his pass attempts for 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games played (eight starts). Jones more than kept the 49ers afloat as injuries decimated both sides of the ball. Purdy is fully healthy heading into the start of the 2026 campaign, which leaves very little fantasy value for Jones in single-year leagues. He'll once again be a valuable insurance policy for Purdy as he heads into his sixth year in the NFL. Jones thrived in head coach Kyle Shanahan's QB-friendly offense last year, but it still didn't make him much more than a QB2 streamer in superflex fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Cam Inman

Jun 3, 2026, 10:46 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (back) was removed early during Wednesday's outing against the Boston Red Sox. Bassitt was pulled after three innings of work due to lower-back tightness. Before exiting, Bassitt allowed three earned runs on six hits and walked two batters. He was replaced on the mound by Andrew Suarez in the fourth inning. The O's should provide an update on Bassitt's status following Wednesday's game. For now, Bassitt is scheduled to take the mound against the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status.--Andy Webb
Source: Jacob Calvin Meyer

Jun 3, 2026, 10:39 PM ET

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs) will undergo additional imaging on his ribcage. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed the team will do extra testing for more specific spots in his right ribcage. Judge has been dealing with shoulder soreness that was determined to be from a bone bruise in his ribs. He has missed the last two games and could very well be headed for a stint on the Injured List. The Yankees want to do more testing and see what they're dealing with before deciding on the next steps for Judge. For now, the superstar slugger should be considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should get more clarity on the situation at some point on Thursday.--Andy Webb
Source: Bryan Hoch

Jun 3, 2026, 10:30 PM ET

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson (back) received an injection in his back on Tuesday. The right-hander landed on the Injured List earlier this week due to a lower-back strain. The injection should hopefully help, but Henderson is expected to be sidelined 3-5 weeks. This is a tough blow to the Brewers' rotation, given how well Henderson has been pitching this season. Across five starts, Henderson owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 30:6 K:BB ratio this season. This timetable should put Henderson's return around late June or early July. There's no clear favorite to take over Henderson's spot in the rotation right now. Fantasy managers should hold onto Henderson through this injury.--Andy Webb
Source: Adam McCalvy

Jun 3, 2026, 10:30 PM ET

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that Adonai Mitchell and Geno Smith "feel like a wide receiver-quarterback pairing built to play together." Mitchell, who has the size at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds to win jump balls all over the field, could work well with the veteran Smith, who has the arm strength and confidence to test any area of the field. Mitchell and Smith's chemistry "appears to be growing" in the early days of the offseason program. The 23-year-old pass-catcher said that Smith is "a baller," and added, "He's a natural leader. He's the alpha of the room, that's the best way I could put it. He takes initiative, he communicates very well." After being acquired from the Indianapolis Colts in a midseason trade last year, Mitchell caught 24 of his 58 targets for 301 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the Jets. The former second-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Texas made an immediate impact for Gang Green, despite terrible QB play. However, that also came with Garrett Wilson out of action due to a knee injury. Smith was one of the worst signal-callers in the league in 2025 with the Raiders, but if he takes a liking to Mitchell in the Big Apple this year, Mitchell has the athleticism, size, and speed to become a threat over a full season. Right now, he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 76 fantasy wideout for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt