The Indianapolis Colts’ opening drive was capped off with a touchdown pass from Anthony Richardson to rookie receiver AD Mitchell for his first NFL touchdown.
On second-and-goal from the nine-yard line, Mitchell was lined up in the slot to Richardson’s left and ran a crossing route. With the Bengals blitzing and the other Colts’ pass-catchers running clear-out routes to the end zone, Mitchell was left all alone underneath and, with 4.34 speed, won the foot race to the end zone.
We have our first AD TD! 🚨
đź“ş Prime Video / FOX59 pic.twitter.com/GrfhdjCku6
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 23, 2024
Mitchell, a second-round pick the Colts has the ability to win at all levels of the field. His speed and explosiveness, coupled with his ability as a route runner allows him to create separation.
We saw this on the Colts’ third possession on what was ultimately an overthrow from Richardson, but Mitchell created a step or two of separation on an intermediate route against the Bengals’ defensive back.
“His releases are like the best I’ve seen,” Michael Pittman said. “I’ve actually been studying him because he’s so good at it and that’s something that I noticed from Day 1.
“We were actually in California doing–so we were doing one-on-one reps,” added Pittman, “and he was killing everybody, and I was like this dude is going to be good.”
Mitchell has been competing with Alec Pierce for the starting role opposite of Pittman. Regardless of who the starter is, both will see their share of playing time this season.
Without Josh Downs, Mitchell has also been tasked with playing out of the slot these last two weeks as well.