Indianapolis Colts’ rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has spent his first few months with the team soaking up and learning as much as he can from the veterans on the team, specifically Michael Pittman.
“I just lean on the older guys,” said Mitchell after Thursday’s practice. “I’m a young guy going into this, so it’s a lot of things I don’t know. It’s a lot of experiences out there that I don’t have. So it’s more so just leaning on guys like Pitt–just really all the vets.
“Anything I can take from them, whether I’m asking a question on blocking. Whether I’m asking a question on just whatever. Just taking something away.”
Mitchell comes to the NFL and the Colts as a fairly high draft pick, taken in the second round, and as an accomplished college player.
Over three collegiate seasons, two of which came at Georgia and the final at Texas, Mitchell appeared in 35 games, totaling 93 receptions, 1,405 yards, and 18 touchdowns, including 11 in 2023.
Mitchell also had plenty of big game experience as well, playing in two SEC Championship Games, one Big 12 Championship Game, three College Football Playoff Games, and two National Championships with Georgia. In those contests, he caught 19 passes at nearly 16.0 yards per catch with six scores.
However, like any rookie, there is a jump when it comes to competing at the NFL level. To help with the navigation of that learning curve, Mitchell has been spending as much time as he can with Pittman, both at the facility and away from it.
Over the break between minicamp and training camp, Mitchell told reporters that he called Pittman up and asked if he could come to California to train with him during the off time.
“It was definitely great for him to welcome me in and kind of take me under his wing because he been in the league for about 6-7 years and this is my first year,” said Mitchell about working out with Pittman.
“So I’m like whatever he doing, I need to be doing. Like the way he worked out, the way he worked, the way he ran routes out there, just everything he was doing, I was like this is the type of work I want to have in the offseason.”
Since arriving in Indianapolis, Pittman has provided a stabilizing force in the Colts’ offense. In each of the last three seasons, Pittman has caught at least 71.0 percent of his targets. During that same span, he’s had at least 124 targets each season, and eclipsed 1,000 yards twice, narrowly missing out in 2022 with 925 yards.
However, beyond all the receptions, yards, and touchdowns, Pittman further sets an example in the Colts’ receiver room by his willingness to do the dirty work as a blocker, and he’s regarded as one of the better blocking receivers in the game.
Mitchell has taken notice of that as well.
“I mean, it’s different to have a guy just tell you to do something and then they not doing it they self,” Mitchell said. “That’s the opposite of Pitt. Like everything he’s telling you to do, he’s going out there and doing the next play.
“So, you know, it’s like, there’s not really much back-talk to be honest. And plus we all buy in because we all got the same goal and that’s winning football games. Whatever it takes.”
Mitchell is certainly benefitting from sharing a locker room and meeting room with Pittman, there’s the opportunity for Mitchell to reciprocate as well.
Pittman is learning from Mitchell, who adds a new element to the offense with his speed and explosiveness as a route runner. As the season unfolds, with Mitchell’s ability to impact all levels of the field, his presence can create better spacing and perhaps generate some one-on-one opportunities for Pittman to exploit.
“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.”