Lions roster preview: Is this James Mitchell’s last chance in Detroit?

Our 2024 Detroit Lions preview series continues today with one of the few Brad Holmes draft picks who has yet to reach his potential. Tight end James Mitchell was considered a solid pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but injuries and lack of opportunities have limited Mitchell’s impact through two seasons.

Can Mitchell be the latest Lion to take a Year 3 jump or could his spot on the 53-man roster be in jeopardy?

Let’s take a closer look in the latest installment of our 2024 Detroit Lions roster preview series.

Previous previews: WR Kalif Raymond, TE Sam LaPorta, LT Taylor Decker, DE Aidan Hutchinson, DT DJ Reader, DT Alim McNeill, DB Brian Branch, S Ifeatu Melifonwu

James Mitchell

Expectations heading into 2023

There was some optimism that James Mitchell could see a Year 2 jump in 2023. Obviously, he was still considered third on the depth chart behind the newly-drafted Sam LaPorta and the steady Brock Wright.

But with Mitchell another year removed from his torn ACL suffered in college, coach Dan Campbell was excited about the potential of Mitchell’s roles in the offense expanding. It wasn’t out of the question that Mitchell could progress and eventually replace some of Brock Wright’s role. Campbell even noted they were trying to make Mitchell a more well-rounded tight end, and they were encouraged through the process.

“We think he can be an all-around type tight end for us, more of an athletic, Y tight end,” Campbell said in 2023. “He puts everything into it. And there again, you want guys – you have to want to do it, you have to be eager, you have to want to learn. And he has all of that. So that would lead you to believe that he will continue to develop.”

Actual role in 2023

Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated

15 games (1 start): 157 offensive snaps (13.3%), 141 special teams (31.2%)

Stats: 2 catches, 28 yards

PFF grade: 41.2 (82nd out of 83 among TEs with minimum 100 blocking snaps)

PFF run blocking grade: 46.0 (69th out of 83)

PFF pass blocking grade: 74.4 (16th out of 83)

While Mitchell would hold onto the TE3 role, he didn’t see the field all that much in 2023. Of his 157 offensive snaps, 94 of those came after Wright suffered an injury that caused him to miss the final three games of the season. In the season finale, Mitchell made the biggest play of his career, this impressive 24-yard catch:

Unfortunately for Mitchell, he did not participate in the postseason after suffering a hand injury that required surgery.

Overall, it was a bit of a disappointing sophomore season for Mitchell. While he scored a high pass blocking grade, that is based on a mere 14 pass blocking snaps. The majority of Mitchell’s game is in run blocking, and that is clearly an area that still requires significant development.

That said, tight ends coach Steve Heiden believes by the end of 2023, Mitchell had shown significant improvement.

“I think you kind of saw him develop and get more comfortable as the season went on a little bit,” Heiden said last month. “He did a nice job in the running game, and like I said, some of the things that you noticed when he came in and played in Minnesota, he made some plays and did some things. We didn’t really miss a beat with him in there and he did a nice job.”

Outlook for 2024

With LaPorta’s breakout season and Wright getting a big contract this offseason, Mitchell is going to have to really fight for any sort of offensive role this season. The days of expecting him to grow into TE2 are essentially gone, but that doesn’t mean he’s a burden on the roster. He can still have an important role, but it will not be just handed to him.

First and foremost, Mitchell will need to prove himself as a valuable member on special teams. It’s unclear how the Lions’ new kickoff rule will adjust their special teams strategy, but it’s worth noting that of Mitchell’s 141 special teams snaps last year, just over half (72) came on kick returns. A large portion of his offseason needs to be spent learning the new rules, and justifying his position on those duties. The majority of his remaining special teams snaps were on field goal and extra point kicks (56).

Additionally, he’ll have to stay ready offensively. While the role of TE3 typically includes no more than a handful of snaps per game, Mitchell can justify a roster spot by proving to be a capable reserve. Injuries happen, and with the Lions using two tight end sets more often than most teams, Mitchell is just one injury away from being a significant contributor.

That said, he’ll have some competition. Last year, Shane Zylstra suffered a season-ending injury in training camp, but he returns this year to compete for the TE3 spot. Zylstra essentially held down the TE3 role in 2022 and was more productive both on offense (11 catches, 60 yards, 4 TDs) and on special teams (86.2 PFF grade).

Don’t count out two veteran additions the Lions made this offseason, either. Former Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon has 45 games at the NFL level and a boatload of special teams experience. Parker Hesse has a little less experience (28), but that includes eight starts for the Atlanta Falcons. Hesse earned his way onto the Lions roster after appearing in rookie minicamp, so he has already made a positive impression with the coaching staff.

That’s all to say that Mitchell will not have anything handed to him in Year 3 of his NFL career. I’d go as far to say that his roster spot is far from guaranteed.

That said, his career could certainly go in the opposite direction, as well. If he proves to be a valuable member on special teams and shows significant growth in a limited amount of offensive opportunities, he’s under contract for two more years and could theoretically replace Wright in 2026. We’ve seen plenty players under this staff break out in Year 3 of their careers, and it would make sense for Mitchell’s trajectory since he battled through injury early in his career.

So even though he’s not likely to have a huge role out of the gate, 2024 should be considered a pivotal year in Mitchell’s career.