Latest news with #Mitchell
Mercury
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Hawthorn v North Melbourne AFL round 16: News, updates, result
North Melbourne have been disgraced by Hawthorn at their home away from home in Tasmania. And even when the Devils enter the AFL in 2028, don't expect the Hawks to step aside. Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Hawthorn's mid season revival clicked into another gear as some magic from 'The Wizard' and evergreen Jack Gunston continued to turn back the clock after they spearheaded the Hawks to a 23.12 (150) to 9.11 (65) win over North Melbourne at Launceston on Saturday. Fellow forward Mabior Chol also delivered one of his best AFL games with five goals, including a belter from the boundary, as the Hawks confirmed they're returning to their best. Gunston kicked a career-best seven goals in his 272nd game, and Watson's starring first half included a goal of the year contender in Hawthorn's ruthless win. Jai Newcombe (27 touches, nine clearances) and Karl Amon (33 touches) also ran rampant for Hawthorn as the Roos took a couple of giant strides backwards after building up plenty of goodwill in a strong last few weeks. Hawthorn has beaten North Melbourne by a combined 209 points in their past two clashes at Launceston. The Hawks booted 26 goals in a 124-point victory over the Roos in the final round of last year. 'We needed to get going. We've been playing some good footy the last couple of weeks, but it was time to put the foot down,' Gunston told Fox Footy. 'I think we had a really good spread of goalkickers and spread the load. It was good to kick straight for once.' — Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 28, 2025 Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said Gunston is now reaping the benefits of his 'selfless' work being a virtual coach on and off the field the past two years. 'I'm really rapt for him because he's put in an enormous amount of work without reward,' Mitchell said. 'The work he's done the past couple of years, he's committed to helping other people. (Even today) he gave away two kicks inside 50 when he had kicked six, and everyone was very well versed he'd never kicked seven before. 'I was pretty happy for him when he did get there. He played in a manner which is very coach-like in helping players around him, and he's getting the reward for the selfless work he's done the past couple of years.' The Hawks face the welcome prospect of fitting an embarrassment of riches in their forward line after Mitch Lewis impressed in his first game for Box Hill on Saturday since injuring his ACL in round 17 last year. Calsher Dear was also a standout in the reserves after stress fractures in his back delayed his start to the season, while Max Ramsden stood up in the seniors with three goals. 'It's a selection squeeze for down the road but I won't be thinking about that tonight, that's for sure,' Mitchell said. Searching for a ninth straight victory at UTAS Stadium, the Hawks belted the Roos in every effort statistic to set up a match-winning 51-point halftime lead. North Melbourne's contested and clearance numbers have been strong recently in winning three games and drawing another against Brisbane its past six games. But in the first half Hawthorn smashed them in inside 50s (36-18), clearances (27-18) tackles (32-18) and contested possessions (73-52) on their way to a third straight win. The Roos were only slightly more competitive in the second half in another brutal reality check for their long-suffering fans. The Hawks are now fourth on the live ladder after one of their best displays of the season. On the other hand North Melbourne was meek and uncompetitive, especially in the first half, as the Hawks seemingly found space whenever they liked in an emphatic performance. The Roos also lost to Hawthorn by 124 points in the final round of last season at Launceston, and their recent form line suggested a much more competitive performance was in store. Instead they delivered arguably their most disappointing display of the year so far. After a mid season hiccup where they dropped games against Gold Coast, Brisbane and Collingwood, the Hawks look to have regained their mojo with subsequent wins over the Bulldogs, Adelaide and North Melbourne. Their transition from defence to attack was electric at times against a North Melbourne side who offered little defensive resistance. WIZARD CONJURES GOAL OF THE YEAR CONTENDER They call Nick Watson 'The Wizard' for a reason. He kicked one of the goals of the season in the first quarter after bursting out of a centre bounce and handballed to Jai Newcombe, before icing the deal after getting it back from his star teammate. But he showed how enigmatic he is by missing another first quarter shot from 25 metres out straight in front after receiving a dubious free kick. The goalsneak brushed that off to kick another two goals before halftime and help slam the door shut on the Roos. Jack Gunston's incredible season also shows no signs of slowing down after he kicked an equal career high six goals. Mitch Lewis made his return from injury in the VFL on Saturday, but Gunston, Mabior Chol (five goals) and Watson could make him work hard to break back into the forward line. WARDLAW'S DRAMAS CONTINUE North Melbourne's forgettable day was exacerbated further after prime mover George Wardlaw was forced off after suffering a suspected concussion. Wardlaw was subbed off in the second quarter after he was hit be a legal Conor Nash bump. It's the 21-year-old's third concussion the past two years, and the Kangaroos will take every possible precaution with one of their most valuable assets. Asked if Wardlaw may need a longer break, Roos coach Alastair Clarkson said: 'It's not up to me to decide that, the medicos will work that out with his recovery. 'He's combative in the way he plays and it's going to happen from time to time. 'He's OK, I spoke to him in the rooms and he can remember the game and that sort of stuff. 'The protocols suggest he had to come out of the game so he'll miss the Bulldogs game which is unfortunate, but hopefully he gets back on the park pretty soon.' It added an exclamation point to a dirty afternoon for the Roos, who simply didn't compete with Hawthorn. After several weeks of strong form many felt they may have finally turned a corner, but the result exposed the still sizeable gap between them and the AFL's best teams. The display is horrible timing before their 100th birthday celebrations against the Bulldogs on Thursday night. LAUNCESTON TENURE SET TO CONTINUE Hawks fans will be happy to know their team's ultra successful time playing in Launceston doesn't look like ending soon. Just before the first bounce on Saturday, Tasmania premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the Liberals would guarantee a minimum of six AFL games per year post 2027. The Hawks' current deal expires after that season, just before the Tasmania Devils are scheduled to enter the league in 2028. It will include delivering a minimum of six Tasmania Devils/Hawthorn AFL games, as well as AFLW games and a number of Devils VFL and VFLW games. The Hawks have always maintained they would love to keep a blueprint in Tasmania even after the Devils begin playing. And why not after just securing a ninth straight win at UTAS Stadium? From a personal point of view I definitely want to keep playing here,' Mitchell said. 'We feel like it's a homely place, I brought my family down for this trip coming into school holidays. 'Being able to experience Tassie is an important part of what this club has done for a quarter of a century, and I hope we can continue to do that. 'I know everyone's very positive about this new team, but they're still going to be the enemy.' SCOREBOARD HAWTHORN 5.5 13.8 17.11 2312 (150) NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3 5.5 6.7 9.11 (65) GOALS Hawthorn: Gunston 7, Chol 5, Watson 3, Ramsden 3, Ginnivan 2, Macdonald 2, Moore, North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Fisher, Curtis, Hansen Jnr, Konstanty BEST Hawthorn: Gunston, Chol, Newcombe, Amon, Watson, Meek North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Parker, Xerri, McKercher, Daniel Injuries North Melbourne: George Wardlaw (concussion), Luke McDonald (AC joint) Hawthorn: Nil Crowd: 13,827 JON TUXWORTH'S VOTES 3 Mabior Chol 2 Jack Gunston 1 Jai Newcombe Originally published as Hawthorn destroy North Melbourne by 85 points in Tasmania AFL Melbourne will be sweating on the availability of Steven May after his arm collected Ben Ainsworth in the head. Plus a Swan has been banned after Friday night's fiery contest. AFL A young Demon copped a stray elbow from an umpire on a bloody and bruising day for Melbourne against the Gold Coast Suns.
Glasgow Times
9 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Pair pretended to be armed police before attacking man in Glasgow
Alan Mitchell, 46, of Carntyne, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to several offences. He admitted to attempted housebreaking with intent to steal, pretending to be an armed police officer, assaulting Cameron Lewis, dangerous driving, and failing to provide a blood specimen when required. Meanwhile, co-accused, Stacey McCue, 29, of Kelvinhaugh, pleaded guilty to attempted housebreaking, pretending to be an armed police officer and assaulting Cameron Lewis. However, McCue did not attend court, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. The court heard that on November 11, 2023, residents at a flat block on Dorchester Avenue in Kelvindale heard shouting and banging coming from within the common close at 2.45pm. One woman heard two separate voices – one male and one female – shouting they were armed police and had a warrant. She believed the noise was coming from the first floor. Once the noise stopped, a man left his flat and noticed that a door on the first floor was damaged. This appeared to have been caused by tools, as he spotted chisel marks. The door handle also looked broken. The resident who lived at this property had been on holiday at the time. Shortly after 3pm on the same day, Mr Lewis was walking along Dorchester Avenue when he noticed a black Volkswagen Passat parked at the side of the road with both Mitchell and McCue inside. READ NEXT: Woman on sex offenders register for offering to lick police officer's privates As he passed the car, McCue demanded that he show her his hands and get in the vehicle, claiming she was a police officer. Mr Lewis refused, and this enraged McCue, who got out of the passenger side and approached him. McCue grabbed Mr Lewis, took a can from his hand, crushed it, and tried to cut his neck. Mitchell then drove the car in Mr Lewis' direction and mounted the curb, narrowly missing him. Mr Lewis then ran off towards Cleveden Road. At this time, another man was driving along Dorchester Avenue when he saw the black Volkswagen Passat at the end of the street. Mitchell was in the driver's seat, and McCue was standing at the rear shouting for him to go. Mitchell has then driven onto Cleveden Road with McCue running on foot in the same direction – both in pursuit of Mr Lewis, who had managed to hide in the area. The man followed Mitchell and McCue onto Cleveden Road and watched McCue, who appeared to be looking for something or someone, before getting into the vehicle. READ NEXT: Glasgow man stabbed nephew after he took his kebab sauce During this time, Mr Lewis contacted police. Police located the car on Skaethorn Road, where Mitchell drove quickly towards them, braking harshly, causing the car to skid and narrowly avoiding the police vehicle. The pair were later apprehended. A drug wipe test was carried out on Mitchell, which returned a positive result for cocaine. Whilst at Clydebank police office, Mitchell refused to provide a blood sample despite testing positive at the roadside. He was charged and stated, 'It's just pointless, I already told yous I'd taken it.' McCue was cautioned, and both were released on an undertaking. Mitchell's lawyer told the court that his client had been taking steps to address addiction issues. The defence solicitor said: 'He accepts these are serious offences and that the custodial threshold has been met. 'He does have a record of offending behaviour, but has no convictions since 2019. He was under the influence when this offence was committed. 'He referred himself to an alcohol recovery service in 2024 and had a short stay at rehabilitation in November and December. 'He has continued to engage with addiction services and is presently not taking any drugs.' Addressing Mitchell, Sheriff Anthony Deutsch commented: 'No community punishment is appropriate due to the seriousness of the offence and taking into account your record.' Mitchell was jailed for 11 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Heat must do everything in their power to re-sign Davion Mitchell
The post Why Heat must do everything in their power to re-sign Davion Mitchell appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the Miami Heat enter a crucial offseason where they look to vastly improve after a tenth seed finish and a dreadful sweep in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, there is a lateral move to make that would be a solid first step. While the Heat are surrounded by Kevin Durant rumors and other big names, one decision that has to be made includes the status of Davion Mitchell. Advertisement Acquired via the Jimmy Butler trade before the deadline, Mitchell came from the Toronto Raptors and had an immediate impact on Miami. He had been a seamless fit for the team's culture and tough-minded play, providing defensive intensity and finding top stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in perfect spots. What the Heat are expected to do with Davion Mitchell Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Now, he heads into free agency, where he is set to be a restricted free agent as, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, the Heat will be extending a qualifying offer, which allows them to match 'outside offers.' As the situation goes, there a numerous amount of avenues this situation could go, but whichever happens, it should end with Mitchell back with Miami. Advertisement 'The Heat is expected to extend an $8.7 million qualifying offer to Mitchell before the June 29 deadline to make him a restricted free agent, allowing Miami to match outside offers in free agency to retain Mitchell,' Chiang wrote. 'If the Heat doesn't extend that qualifying offer, Mitchell would become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and Miami would lose the power to always have an opportunity to match outside offers.' 'Mitchell can return to the Heat on the one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer that Miami is expected to extend to him in the coming weeks,' Chiang continued. 'But the more likely scenario after Mitchell's strong finish to this season with the Heat is for him to sign an offer sheet with another team when free agency begins on July 1, putting pressure on Miami to decide on how far it's willing to go to keep him. The Heat would then have a few days to decide whether it will match that offer to re-sign Mitchell.' Davion Mitchell's 'amazing fit' with the Heat While the Heat's offseason plans remain to be seen, losing Mitchell would be one that frustrates the team since the 26-year-old impressed many within the organization. Though the aforementioned scenarios with Mitchell could lead to a prolonged process, the payer could also talk with Miami about a new contract. Advertisement 'Mitchell could also simply negotiate a new contract with the Heat for any length and any amount in free agency this summer,' Chiang wrote. 'Miami holds Mitchell's Bird rights, which allow the Heat to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary despite already being over the cap.' Even though it's understood that basketball is a business, there's no denying that Mitchell wants to stay with the Heat, speaking of the 'amazing fit' during exit interviews after the team's ugly playoff exit. 'It's an amazing fit,' Mitchell said. 'Everything they do, everything they're about, it's like I really didn't have to do anything. I feel like I'm just here, I feel like I can be free.' 'Haven't really thought about it or talked about it with my representation,' Mitchell continued about his situation. 'I think that there's a long summer that we're going to have a lot of time to talk about it. And when we do, I'll be prepared for that. But as of right now, I don't really know because I've never been in this situation before. So I'm just waiting to talk to my agency.' Davion Mitchell had the best stretch of his career with the Heat The Heat standout in Mitchell brought a plethora of aspects that the team needed from either their starting lineup or from the bench, giving them a spark. He would be a consistent rotational piece since the trade, as he spoke about how he thrived so well with Miami. Advertisement 'Coach Spo told me the first day, 'Just be yourself. I want you to be yourself. Go out there defensively and offensively and play your game. You know how to play the game. Get your teammates involved,' Mitchell said. 'Things that I've been doing since I've been playing basketball, and I had the opportunity to do it here.' 'The past places I've been to, I didn't really have the opportunity,' Mitchell continued. 'I was playing with a lot of good players, so I understood it. 'But being here, I kind of just fit right in. They needed somebody who can be a defensive presence, who can get their teammates open, make my teammates' lives just a lot easier, and I think that's what I did.' This past season, Mitchell averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from beyond the arc. The last statistic was one that was huge for the team, as his three-point shooting, along with his defense and point guard abilities, made him a viable asset. 'It's not hard,' Mitchell said. 'It's very simple, just play hard. There's no really tricks or anything. He just wants you to play extremely hard. Honestly, that's how I got in this league, that's who I am. I'm always going to play hard no matter what the circumstances are. So it's pretty easy for me.' Heat's culture is defined by Davion Mitchell With the last Heat season having a lot of lows compared to the highs, Mitchell was one of the positives that came out of a relatively forgettable year. However, it is a valid concern to bring up about overpaying for a player like Mitchell when the team could go after a star like Durant, who would command more financial flexibility. Advertisement Still, it's almost imperative to assess the roster as it was constructed last season and keep the players that made a lasting impression, which no doubt Mitchell falls under. As team president, Pat Riley continues to reinforce the culture that he touts, keeping Mitchell would be a display of that belief. 'Just the culture here, I think I fit completely in,' Mitchell said. 'Since the first day I got here, it was pretty easy to fit in. Everyone is friendly, everyone is cool, everyone loves what I do, everyone loves what I bring to the table.' At any rate, it remains to be seen what the Heat does with Mitchell, but the team itself is looking to improve after finishing with a 37-45 record, which put them 10th in the East, as said before.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg International Feline Film Festival celebrate cats and the pet parents who love them
The cats have come back to the big screen. • Winnipeg International Feline Film Festival • Gas Station Arts Centre, 445 River Ave. • Saturday, June 28; 6:30 p.m. • Tickets $25 at The second edition of the Winnipeg International Feline Film Festival, or WIFFF, takes place Friday at the Gas Station Arts Centre with 13 short films celebrating all things cat. Hosted by the Cats Advocacy Team of Manitoba, the event is part-fundraiser and part-animal welfare campaign. 'It seemed like a fun way to get some information out, but also to entertain and remind people how much fun and joy these little guys can bring to our lives,' says board chair and festival MC Amanda Heslop. The local advocacy group was founded in 2024 with the goal of improving the lives of cats and kittens in Manitoba by educating pet owners and the general public on responsible animal stewardship. The organization also provides funding for animal rescue agencies and trap-neuter-return programs, which aim to manage the growing feral cat population locally. 'Overpopulation is really, really rampant,' says Heslop, a lifelong cat lover. SUPPLIED Local feline influencer Littlefoot is a guest judge at Saturday's cat film festival. SUPPLIED Local feline influencer Littlefoot is a guest judge at Saturday's cat film festival. Last year's festival raised $5,000 for the group's efforts. There will be several celebrity judges in attendance at this year's screening, including Ace Burpee Show co-host Chrissy Troy, Métis singer-songwriter Brandi Vezina and — drumroll please — local feline influencer Littlefoot. Boasting more than 38,000 followers on Instagram, Littlefoot, a.k.a. Footie, is looking forward to his first foray into film critiquing, according to owner Harlyn Mitchell. The animated shorts are expected to be a hit. 'We were watching all the videos and found that he liked the cartoons because things were flying around the screen and they were a bit more playful,' says Mitchell, who will be acting as translator and handler to ensure the 'spicy' two-year-old cat behaves himself. While cat videos exist on social media as a rare form of positive online escapism, this year's WIFFF lineup celebrates the human-feline bond and the challenges faced by cats around the world. On the docket is a French animated flick about a lost kitten, an Icelandic horror comedy about 'Krampuss' and a documentary about a cat who escaped war-torn Ukraine. Littlefoot's own story isn't an entirely happy one. Mitchell found him as a tiny black kitten behind a dumpster near her workplace. He had been left behind after his mom, a feral stray, moved on with the rest of her litter. All of the local rescues were full, so Mitchell scooped him up and started researching how to bottlefeed young kittens. Her husband wasn't thrilled about the new addition to the house, which already contained two cats, but it didn't take long to win him over. 'As soon as he fed him for the first time, he was like, 'I would die for this cat,'' Mitchell says, laughing. SUPPLIED Krampuss was directed by Gudni Linda Benediktsson. SUPPLIED Krampuss was directed by Gudni Linda Benediktsson. To avoid annoying friends with cat spam, she made Littlefoot — named for his funny sleeping posture and the Land Before Time character — his own Instagram account (@littlefootwpg) with no intention of finding internet fame. He quickly amassed a large following thanks to his origin story, quirky personality and unique appearance (a floofy mix of Maine Coon, ragdoll and Abyssinian, according to DNA test results). Littlefoot and his humans have started attending cat conventions and animal welfare events, such as the Winnipeg International Feline Film Festival, in the hopes of helping other young strays. 'We're always trying to encourage people to donate to shelters so they can do their best to help and advocate for pregnant cats and cats with babies, especially ones that are stray,' Mitchell says. Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Stashes
2025 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Stashes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. [Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 Fantasy Football Guide. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.] Advertisement Every year, fantasy football managers are looking for those hidden gems in the later rounds who can emerge from the shadows and help them take home a title, and dynasty leagues are no different. Each rookie class features a handful of promising prospects who have the talent to shine at the next level, and they are just an injury away from making the most of an increased role. There are also unheralded veterans who are still flying under the radar, who could benefit from a new team and expanded opportunities. If you're looking for a few players to stash on your dynasty roster heading into the 2025 season, here are our picks: Ja'Lynn Polk WR, Patriots New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk at Canha-Imagn Images Polk's rookie season in New England was painfully forgettable, as the former Washington Husky caught 12 passes for only 87 yards, averaging a measly 7.3 yards per reception. He did find the end zone twice, but it was a terrible shock to see a top-40 draft pick perform so poorly in his first season. That said, Polk is still a talented player, and even though he might face an uphill battle with a new regime taking over, the Pats have a legitimate franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and Polk could surprise by making a leap in his second year. Even if that doesn't happen in New England, another team that liked Polk during last year's pre-draft process could try to get him for cheap and give him a fresh start elsewhere, and fantasy managers could also be wise to try and acquire him for minimal compensation in hopes he'll deliver on his potential. Keaton Mitchell RB, Ravens Keaton Mitchell gets a handoff from Lamar Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images After going undrafted in 2023 and starting his rookie season on short-term injured reserve, Mitchell exploded over eight games with 396 yards on just 47 carries (8.4 yards per attempt) and a pair of touchdown runs, adding 93 yards on nine receptions. A knee injury ended his rookie campaign early and limited him to only five games in 2024. Too small to be a full-time featured back, Mitchell nevertheless has the speed and versatility to be a valuable weapon, whether that's in Baltimore or with another team that wants to give him a bigger role elsewhere. Regardless of where it happens, Mitchell's explosiveness and big-play ability give him a ton of upside that's worth banking on if he's available in your league. Brenton Strange TE, Jaguars Yes, the Jags already have Brian Thomas Jr. and No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, and they also signed Dyami Brown in free agency. But the departure of Evan Engram leaves Strange as the default starter at tight end, and he showed flashes down the stretch last season that highlighted the athleticism and upside that made him a second-round pick in 2023. New management might favor the targets they've acquired since taking over, but Trevor Lawrence already has a connection with Strange that clearly improved throughout the 2024 campaign. While opposing defenses are busy trying to slow down Thomas and Hunter, Strange could prove to be a reliable target for Lawrence when it's time to move the chains in the short/intermediate areas of the field — and especially in the red zone. Joe Milton III QB, Cowboys Joe Deep-league dynasty stashes are all about upside and high-end physical traits, as well as a situation that could provide a promising opportunity. The Cowboys acquired Milton from the Patriots this offseason to replace the departed Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, leaving the former Tennessee quarterback as the primary backup to Dak Prescott. While Prescott is often a high-quality starter when healthy, he's coming off yet another season-ending injury, and he'll turn 32 this summer. Milton showed flashes of elite athleticism and arm talent in limited work for the Pats last season, and while he still needs a ton of development, any time that Prescott misses this season and beyond would put Milton in charge of an offense that features wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which would be a situation full of potential. Malik Washington WR, Dolphins On the surface, the Dolphins have one of the league's better wide receiver tandems in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but both have struggled to stay healthy, and Hill could still be a potential trade target for other teams. Waiting in the wings is Washington, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft who picked up steam late in his rookie season, catching 16 passes for 169 yards over the final four games of the year. If Hill or Waddle miss more time due to injury, or if Hill is sent elsewhere, Washington could be in line for a much bigger role in the passing game. It won't be surprising if he builds on the success he found down the stretch last year as he develops an even stronger rapport with Tua Tagovailoa. Jacob Cowing WR, 49ers The 49ers just spent a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall last year, and Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings give them a strong starting tandem. But with Aiyuk's return from last year's devastating knee injury still somewhat of a question mark, and after the departure of Deebo Samuel to Washington, there's room for a young talent like Cowing to emerge. Undersized but explosive, Cowing didn't see much action in the offense last year, but he made the most of his few opportunities, catching four of his six targets for 80 yards. That 20-yards-per-catch average could earn him more downfield looks from Brock Purdy this season, especially if Aiyuk struggles to return to form and/or San Francisco needs someone to replace Samuel's big-play presence after the catch. Sean Tucker RB, Buccaneers Tampa Bay has one of the league's best 1-2 backfield punches in Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, but Tucker is lurking in the shadows with sky-high dynasty potential. After Tucker's heart condition was discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine, he went from a likely mid-round pick in 2023 to going undrafted. The Bucs scooped him up as a rookie free agent, and after a quiet rookie campaign, Tucker flashed his three-down skill set in a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 6 last season, racking up nearly 200 total yards and scoring on the ground as well as through the air. A well-built back who can run with speed and power and catch the ball out of the backfield, Tucker could push White for RB2 snaps in Tampa Bay, or another team could come calling with a more significant role if the Bucs are willing to part with him. Either way, the 23-year-old has his arrow pointing way up. Advertisement Related: 2025 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rookie Rankings Related: Athlon Sports 2025 Fantasy Football Preview Magazine Now Available This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
