Michael Pittman will be out wide, and Josh Downs will be in the slot, but will it be Alec Pierce or Adonai Mitchell who sees more opportunities opposite of Pittman in the Colts’ offense?
Pierce is entering his third NFL season and has primarily been a deep threat for the Colts, an important element within the Shane Steichen offense.
In 2023, Pierce’s average depth of target was 15.7 yards, which was the seventh-most among receivers. He also had 30 percent of his targets come 20 or more yards downfield, the 14th-highest rate last season.
However, while Pierce has averaged over 15.0 yards per reception in his career, the consistency hasn’t quite been there, with him hauling in just over 50 percent of his targets.
Now, of course, downfield throws are less likely to be completed, but after ranking in the bottom-third of the NFL in explosive pass plays in 2023, the Colts’ offense needs more big play ability in 2024.
While that’s an important part of Pierce’s game, this offseason and into training camp, he wants to showcase his versatility and that he can impact the game in a variety of ways, and truthfully, if he’s going to carve out a somewhat significant role, having that element will seemingly be a must.
“Definitely more versatility,” said Pierce on what he wants this season. “I want to be able to do more things, run more routes, get open on different types of routes.”
Mitchell comes to the NFL with elite 4.34 speed, and is also able to add that vertical presence to the Colts’ offense. He has plenty of big game experience at the college level, playing in the College Football Playoffs each season, and during his final year at Texas, Mitchell, averaged 15.4 yards per catch with 11 scores.
However, he is already much more than just a deep threat. His explosiveness and ability as a route runner will allow him to make an impact at all levels of the field.
“He’s going to be pretty versatile, as he was at Texas,” said Colts’ area scout Anthony Coughlan following the draft. “He’s a guy that can be a deep threat, he can run intermediate routes, he’s a big dude. He’s 205 pounds and ran a 4.34.
“He’s a multi-dimensional threat. He’s a good route-runner. He’s not just a deep ball, 50/50, that’s it. He can run routes too, so I think he can threaten you on multiple levels. We’re extremely excited to get his talent in here.”
Like just about any rookie, there is going to be a learning curve for Mitchell, but his sky-high potential gives him the ability to not only add a big-play presence to the offense, but he is someone who can open up opportunities for others with the spacing he creates and the attention he draws.
“You bring in AD and he’s very talented,” said Pittman. “Everything he does is so natural. I think he brings something extra that we didn’t have before. I’m learning stuff from him that I didn’t know before. Just the way he moves and the way he sets up moves. I think he’s elevating everybody. He’s all about football. We are always talking about concepts, routes, releases, set up moves. He’s all ball 24/7.”
Last season, nearly 96 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps came with three or fewer receivers on the field, so the opportunity for both Mitchell and Pierce to be on the field together is likely limited, unless personnel packages drastically change this season.
However, that doesn’t mean when it comes to playing time that the Colts have to choose one or the other, early on, Steichen could carve out specific roles for each player based on where they can make the greatest impact.