Jets looking for a ‘sizable jump’ from AD Mitchell

A week after going ballistic against the Raiders, the high-variance Mitchell couldn’t come up with a grab in an embarrassing effort for a Jets offense that was without Garrett Wilson (concussion). If your fantasy league awards points for air yards, Mitchell would have been a week winner against Kansas City. Alas, he could not convert any of that opportunity into real-life production, though he came awfully close on a couple well-thrown Geno Smith downfield balls. He was second on the team in targets, trailing Omar Cooper (11). Mitchell next week against the Bills will remain a boom-bust WR3 option. Buffalo has struggled against boundary receivers all season.

Looking to bounce back from a Week 7 doughnut in his return from a marathon injury absence, Mitchell responded with by far the best game of his career. This, even as one of his two missed connections was a heinous deep drop. Geno Smith never stopped looking his way, and the quarterback was rewarded with multiple chunk gains. Smith once again failed to get fully in sync with Garrett Wilson. Smith also targeted Omar Cooper Jr. zero times. That was hard to see coming, and will be difficult to sustain going forward, keeping Mitchell as more of a boom/bust WR3/4 than weekly must start. This blow-up effort confirmed he still has life in 12-team leagues, however. That will include for Week 9 against a Chiefs defense that is admittedly much better than Vegas’ porous unit.

To add insult to injury, Mitchell had a two-point conversion catch called back because of a penalty. Omar Cooper Jr. once again stole the show, reeling in several long catches en route to his second 100-yard game in a row. Playing in his first game in over a month, Mitchell did not appear awfully involved in the team’s game plan. The hope will be that he earns more opportunities next week, but Cooper Jr. may have already cemented himself as the team’s No. 2 receiver. Mitchell will be stuck in the WR5 ranks when he takes on the Raiders next week.

Mitchell has been sidelined since injuring his finger in preparation for the Jets’ Week 3 game against the Lions. It was incredibly unfortunate time for Mitchell and his fantasy managers, as his injury came just days after he went for 6-63-0 on 12 targets against the Packers. Mitchell’s return could complicate things for Omar Cooper’s fantasy managers after Cooper broke out for 6-103-1 against the Patriots last week. The Jets rank 13th in the league in plays run from 11-personnel (209) through the first six weeks of the season, which means both Mitchell and Cooper should see plenty of snaps. That said, neither player should be viewed as anything more than a WR3/FLEX play until we see how the target distribution looks with both players active.

It is too early to say whether Mitchell and his surgically repaired finger will be ready to face the Dolphins this week. He is a worthwhile bench stash, though. Mitchell played well early in the year, pre-injury and pre-breakout from rookie Omar Cooper. It is unclear whether Mitchell will return to the No. 2 wide receiver role or if he will be asked to unseat the youngster.

Mitchell has missed the past four weeks with a finger injury that required a “small procedure” to fix. Though a limited practice today doesn’t guarantee he will be back for Week 7, it’s a big step in the right direction. Mitchell had nine catches for 123 yards in his first two appearances this year. If he’s able to return this week, he would at least earn a spot on the WR3/4 border versus the Dolphins.

It was reported earlier this week that Mitchell underwent a “small procedure” on the finger he injured in practice ahead of Week 3. Given that news, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to learn that Mitchell will miss his fourth straight game with the injury. With rookie Omar Cooper Jr. set to play in his first game since Week 1, Mitchell could face additional competition for targets when he finally returns to the field.

As expected, he did not practice today. Per Glenn, Mitchell remains week to week. This explains the lengthy absence for Mitchell, who hasn’t played since injuring his finger in practice ahead of Week 3. According to Glenn, Mitchell is moving his fingers around well, which is hopefully a sign that he will be back soon. With Omar Cooper Jr.'s practice window now open, Mitchell could return to a rather crowded receiver room once he is healthy.

Mitchell will miss his third straight game with the finger injury he sustained in practice, ahead of Week 3’s game against the Lions. During Mitchell’s absence, Isaiah Williams has run 59 routes, the second-most of any Jets receiver, but has seen just five targets. Garrett Wilson is the only reliable receiver in this passing game, while rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq is a boom-or-bust option against a defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.

Mitchell will likely miss his third straight game with the finger issue. He suffered the injury just as he was coming on as the team’s clear No. 2 wideout behind Garrett Wilson. With Mitchell sidelined last week against the Bears, Isaiah Williams was second on the team in pass routes, saw three targets, and caught a 58-yard touchdown from Geno Smith. Williams will have some deep-league viability in Week 5 against a Browns defense allowing the most air yards in the NFL. Adonai was officially a non-participant on Wednesday’s injury report.