Mike Esposito

Freelance Sports Writer and Fantasy Sports Analyst

United States

Mike is a freelance sports writer who covers a variety of professional sports teams for well-respected media outlets such as 12up Sports, SB Nation, FantasyPros, FanSided, Sports Illustrated, and The Duel.

Due to a proven track record of quality writing, Mike has had his work featured on multiple Bleacher Report Team Streams and several player pages on sports-reference.com databases.

Former Roles: Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos beat writer for EndZoneScore, NFL News Desk Correspondent for FantasyPros, Independent Contractor for FanSided, and NFL Editor for Forward Mile.

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Recently Published Works

theduel.com
3 Red Sox Players Least Likely to Still Be on the Roster by the End of 2020

The Boston Red Sox shocked the baseball world this past offseason, sending franchise icon Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a landscape-changing blockbuster deal. The Sox - who's goal was to get under the luxury tax with the move - were able to shed a considerable amount of payroll ($27 million, to be exact) due to the deal.

theduel.com
3 Best NFL Running Backs to Ever Come Out of Auburn

Bo Jackson is widely considered the greatest running back ever to grace the Auburn Tigers' football program, but a freak injury at the NFL level derailed his path to the No. 1 spot atop this list.

Select Bleacher Report Featured Work

SI.com
09/06/2019
WATCH: Key trend in Le'Veon Bell's favor for elite Jets debut - SI.com

The New York Jets completely changed the NFL landscape when they lured running back Le'Veon Bell to the Big Apple this past offseason, but the organization has yet to see even the smallest of signs that the four-year, $52 million investment they made in him was worth the considerable amount they spent.

Hudson River Blue
07/06/2018
Derby Day Thoughts: The Mystery of BWP's Dominance of NYCFC

As has always been the case with the Hudson River Derby, there's a lot on the line for New York City FC. Outside of bragging rights, a win for the Boys in Blue will leapfrog them over the New York Red Bulls into second place on the Eastern Conference table.

Opinion & Analysis

SI.com
09/13/2019
WATCH: Analytics verify C.J. Mosley is undisputed glue for Jets defense - SI.com

Le'Veon Bell grabbed all the headlines this offseason when he decided to take his talents to the Big Apple. However, middle linebacker C.J. Mosley has arguably been the more impactful free-agent signing the New York Jets made this offseason and the team's inexplicable 17-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills provides us with a perfect example.

Empire Writes Back
12/01/2018
New York Mets: Trading Jarred Kelenic was too steep of a price to pay for Cano and Diaz

Well, it finally happened. The New York Mets actually proved to their fanbase that they're completely serious about fielding a winning ball club in 2019 and they couldn't have done it in a more dramatic way. The Mets pulled off the biggest blockbuster of the MLB offseason so far, trading Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, Justin Dunn (No.

Hudson River Blue
07/01/2018
All-Star Snub: Maxi Morález Should be Joining Villa and Ring in Atlanta

As fans found out Friday afternoon, New York City FC will be well represented at this summer's MLS All-Star Game. Club talisman David Villa and midfield enforcer Alex Ring were selected by Atlanta United (and all-star team) head coach Tata Martino as the club's two representatives for the league's star-studded clash with Juventus.

Fantasy Sports & Sports Betting

fanduel.com
01/30/2019
Kansas Has Been a Shockingly-Bad Road Bet This Season

​ Cover Photo: Getty Images No. 11 Kansas has been one of the best teams in college basketball this season and the Jayhawks look like they have a bright future ahead of them in this year's NCAA Tournament. However, their success is largely due to their dominance at home, and almost only at home.

fanduel.com
01/29/2019
Willians Astudillo Could Be Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper Pick at Catcher

Cover Photo: Getty Images As a career Minor League Baseball player, not much was expected of catcher Willians Astudillo when the Minnesota Twins initially brought him to the Majors late last season. His initial call up didn't raise many eyebrows, but if his performance during his second stint in the Majors is any indication, Astudillo could be a nice fantasy baseball sleeper pick in 2019.

theduel.com
11/26/2018
Juju Smith-Schuster is Becoming More Valuable Than Antonio Brown in Fantasy

Cover Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images Antonio Brown has been the best wide receiver to own in fantasy football for the past several seasons. However, thanks to JuJu Smith-Schuster's recent emergence, he may not even be the best fantasy receiver on his own team moving forward.

Breaking News Articles

fanduel.com
11/03/2018
REPORT: Owner of Offshore Sportsbook 5Dimes Allegedly Kidnapped

It's been over a month now since William Creighton, the owner of Costa Rica-based 5Dimes Sportsbook, was kidnapped , and local authorities have very little to show for their efforts. Creighton's family apparently paid upwards of $1 million in ransom through Bitcoin without securing his release and there is now suspicion that he may have been murdered by his kidnappers, according to some reports.

fanduel.com
10/19/2018
Leonard Fournette Still Expected to Return After Jaguars Week 9 Bye

Cover Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images Leonard Fournette and his bum hamstring have frustrated his fantasy owners this year and the fact that the Jacksonville Jaguars traded for Carlos Hyde could imply that his season is coming to a premature end.

theduel.com
10/08/2018
Giants on The Verge of Cutting Former First-Round Pick Ereck Flowers

Cover Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images Ereck Flowers' career has been defined by underwhelming play and frustrating inconsistency. Now, it looks like the New York Giants are finally washing their hands of their 2015 first-round pick. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Giants plan to release Flowers if they are unable to find a willing trade partner by 4:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon.

12up.com
12/23/2016
BREAKING: Seahawks Star Likely to Play Against Cardinals

The Seahawks' march towards a first round bye may have gotten a huge boost Friday afternoon. The Seattle Seahawks' defensive end Michael Bennett and punter Jon Ryan were full participants in practice Friday afternoon and where nowhere to be found on the team's injury report, a good indication that both will play this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals.

12up.com
12/17/2016
BREAKING: Bears Activate Star WR to 53-Man Roster

It's official folks. The suspension is over, and the Bears are getting one of their offensive weapons back. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been activated and is ready to help his team win. The Chicago Bears officially activated Jeffery from the commissioner/exempt list Saturday afternoon, making the wideout eligible to play this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

12up.com
12/01/2016
Former Chiefs and Jets RB Joe McKnight Killed in Shooting

The football world is in mourning Thursday evening. ​ Former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets running back Joe McKnight was tragically killed in his hometown of Terrytown, Louisiana Thursday afternoon. A witness said that she saw McKnight and his killer in a verbal altercation at the intersection after a car accident when she was leaving one of the stores in the area.

Humor & Personal Interest

fanduel.com
01/30/2019
Tom Brady is So Old He Already Has His Own Coaching Tree

Cover Photo: Getty Images At 41-years-old and finishing up his 19th NFL season, it's no secret that Tom Brady has been around for a very long time. Just how long he's been around, however, is really put into perspective when you realize he has somewhat of his own coaching tree.

fanduel.com
11/13/2018
Google Search Error May Have Cost Buffalo a Top-25 Ranking

Cover Photo: Courtesy of Imgur Some college football teams don't get enough respect from the College Football Playoff Committee, and the 9-1 Buffalo Bulls are no exception based on how they've performed this year. However, there may be more to it if a recent Google search indicates anything.

fanduel.com
11/07/2018
Jim Harbaugh Trolls Rutgers by Praising Their Kickoff Coverage

Cover Photo: Gregory Shamus/ /Getty Images There's no beating around the bush. Rutgers is one of the worst college football teams in the country. Apparently, though, No. 4 Michigan may actually have something to be concerned about, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

fanduel.com
10/29/2018
Kansas Fans Have Stormed the Field After Almost Every Home Win

Cover Photo: Brian Davidson/Getty Images Even if you're the most casual college football fan, it's a pretty well-known fact that they aren't used to winning football in Kansas. Naturally, it makes plenty of sense that rushing the field has almost become a common occurrence in Jayhawks country.

theduel.com
09/20/2018
Ex-Coach Rick Pitino Joins Twitter With Massive Fail

Cover Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images Some people aren't meant to be on social media. Rick Pitino, much to his misfortune and our entertainment, may just be one of those folks. He may have been a member of the Twitter community since July, but Pitino's account finally showed signs of life this week.

12up.com
12/05/2016
Packers Fan Arrested After Stiffing Cabbie for Ridiculous Fair

Keep yourself in check when you're drinking, folks. If you don't, it doesn't end well for you, your wallet, and in this particular case, your criminal record. Die-hard Green Bay Packers fan Tyler Meleski got arrested after stiffing a cab driver on a ridiculous $475.60 cab ride home from the Packers-Texans game Sunday afternoon.