Tag: adonai mitchell

The Indianapolis Colts selecting Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at 52nd overall was picked by Aaron Schatz as his favorite selection in the entire 2024 NFL draft.

In a recent article, ESPN insiders and analysts were asked a series of questions about how the draft unfolded. When it came to choosing their favorite selection, here is why Schatz chose Mitchell:

“Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 52. Analytics suggest there is no such thing as a “draft steal” because prospects drop from consensus for good reasons. That being said, Mitchell might have dropped due to off-field concerns, and Colts GM Chris Ballard spoke out against that. This was the No. 5 wide receiver in Playmaker Score but the No. 11 receiver off the board.”

Wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers were in a tier of their own, but in a loaded wide receiver class, many draft analysts had Mitchell as the first or second receiver in that second tier. It was almost assumed that he was going to be a first-round selection.

In a recent exercise to find which selections provided the Colts with the most ‘value,’ I compared each player’s draft position to their ranking on the consensus big board. At +23, with a consensus ranking of 29th and being taken at 52nd overall, Mitchell was the best value selection for the Colts by those metrics.

On top of that, before taking Mitchell, the Colts traded back with Carolina, gaining two fifth-round picks in the process.

The Colts were very much in need of a playmaking presence at the receiver position, and Mitchell certainly provides that. Last season at Texas, Mitchell averaged 15.4 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns.

He also comes to the NFL with plenty of big game experience, playing in the College Football Playoffs in all three of his collegiate seasons, where he totaled 19 receptions at almost 16.0 yards per catch with six scores.

With 4.34 speed, Mitchell can provide that vertical presence that the Shane Steichen offense requires. However, with his route-running abilities, Mitchell is someone who can make an impact at all levels of the field and win in a variety of ways.

“I think for us, he’s going to be pretty versatile as he was at Texas,” said Colts’ area scout Anthony Coughlan. “He is a guy that can be a deep threat. He can run intermediate routes. This is a big dude. He’s 205 pounds, running 4.38. So it’s a multi-dimensional threat and 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 multiple levels. We’re extremely excited to get his talent here.”

Mitchell has the potential to develop into a true No. 1 target in the passing game. Having that kind of presence on the field will create opportunities for others within the offense, such as Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, with the attention that Mitchell draws and the spacing he can create.

Following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft, PFF went through all three days and named their biggest draft steals. On Day 2, the Colts’ selection of Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell made t

To determine which prospects were considered “steals,” PFF compared where they were selected in the draft to where that prospect was ranked on their big board.

Here is what PFF had to say about the Colts selecting Mitchell:

“A popular late-first-round option for teams looking for a high-ceiling receiver, Mitchell ultimately came off the board at No. 52. Mitchell is an easy mover with a great release package and vice grips for hands. He has the talent to slot in as a Day 1 starter next to Michael Pittman Jr., giving Anthony Richardson a versatile receiving duo to develop alongside.”

I recently went through a similar exercise where I tried to find which of the Colts’ selections provided the most value. In order to do this, similarly to PFF, I compared where he prospect was taken to the consensus big board.

Mitchell, at pick 52, and with a consensus ranking of 29th, provided the “most value” to the Colts using this method at +23. To see how the other Colts’ picks fared, click here.

Mitchell provides the Colts’ offense with that needed big-play ability. However, he is much more than just a deep threat with his 4.34 speed. Mitchell, a very strong route runner, has the ability to impact the game at all three levels of the field, winning in a variety of ways.

“I think for us, he’s going to be pretty versatile as he was at Texas,” said Colts’ area scout Anthony Coughlan. “He is a guy that can be a deep threat. He can run intermediate routes. This is a big dude. He’s 205 pounds, running 4.38. So it’s a multi-dimensional threat and 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 multiple levels. We’re extremely excited to get his talent here.”

The skill set and traits are there for Mitchell to develop into a true No. 1 target within this Colts’ offense. Having that ability not only creates opportunities for Mitchell to take advantage of but his presence and gravity can create for others as well.

Other Day 2 selections who made PFF’s list along with Mitchell include Jer’Zhan Newton, Cooper DeJean, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Roman Wilson.

With the 52nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Colts selected Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Here are the initial takeaways from the selection:

– Mitchell fits the mold for what the Colts look for at receiver. A big target at 6-2 – 205 pounds with an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.99, which included a 4.34-second 40-yard dash.

– Mitchell had his breakout season in 2023 with Texas, totaling 845 receiving yards at 15.4 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns.

– Mitchell’s first two seasons were played at Georgia, where he totaled 38 receptions, only nine of which came in 2022, 552 yards and seven touchdowns.

– Mitchell was often a more downfield target in the Texas offense with an average depth of target of 16.0 yards, which was he seventh most in college football.

– The downfield element is a key component of Shane Steichen’s offense and something that was consistently missing in 2023. That presence will not only create shot play opportunities, but Mitchell’s gravity can help open up other parts of the field for Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.

– The Colts have made it clear this offseason that they wanted to add playmaking on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, albeit without Anthony Richardson, they ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in explosive pass plays. Although Pittman and Downs provide a strong foundation at the position, both averaged under 12.0 yards per catch.

– Perhaps early on, Mitchell’s biggest impact comes as a downfield target, but he has the potential to develop into a true top pass-catching option who can make an impact in all parts of the field. He brings a solid route-running foundation to the NFL.

– With that 4.34 speed, Steichen’s ability to get the ball in space and utilize him as a pre-snap motion man can cause some havoc for opposing defenses.

– Mitchell is one of the top talents in this draft class at a loaded position. Many draft analysts thought that he could be a first-round selection.

In the second-round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Here is a quick breakdown of the pick with what you need to know.

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205

RAS: 9.99

Stats to know: Mitchell has good size and brings excellent speed to the position, running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash, as a boundary target. Mitchell had a breakout year in 2023, totaling 845 yards at an impressive 15.4 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns. Mitchell’s average depth of target was 16.0 yards downfield, which ranked seventh in college football.

Positional need: The Colts needed more playmaking and weapons around Anthony Richardson. As an offense, they ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in 2023 in explosive pass plays. While Michael Pittman and Josh Downs provide a good foundation at the position, both averaged under 12.0 yards per catch last season.

What Daniel Jeremiah had to say: “Mitchell has outstanding size, toughness and polish for the position. He is fast and has a long stride. He has surprisingly good route polish for a bigger receiver. He understands how to change tempo, and he’s clean getting in and out of breaks. He gave Kool-Aid McKinstry a lot of trouble in the Alabama game last September, finishing with three catches for 78 yards and two TDs. He has some wow catches on fades and 50/50 balls. He can climb the ladder, hang and finish. It looks like he gets a little lazy at times on the back side of routes, assuming the ball is going elsewhere. He doesn’t have a ton of production after the catch. Overall, though, Mitchell is an ideal X receiver. He can make plays when covered, and he’s a real weapon in the red zone.”