Is Adonai Mitchell the Indianapolis Colts’ best wide receiver? The answer is no. Most people would say he’s the team’s fourth-best receiver behind Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce. While he may not be “The Man” right now, Mitchell has the potential to be a big-time contributor down the road.
Adonai Mitchell, the rookie out of Texas, had a slow start this season. In his first four games, he caught only three passes on 17 targets for 42 yards. He would later have a breakout game in Week 19 against the Buffalo Bills. In that 30-20 loss to Buffalo, Mitchell recorded a career-high six catches on six targets for 71 yards. He was one of the few positives for the Colts that day. Could this be the beginning of something special for the playmaker?
Adonai Mitchell Could Be on the Verge of Becoming a Star
Mitchell’s Football Career
Adonai Mitchell played his first two seasons of college ball with the Georgia Bulldogs. He won a national championship in both years.
Mitchell then transferred to Texas in 2023. In his only season with the Longhorns, he caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. The highlight of his year was an eight reception-149-yard-one touchdown performance against Kansas State. That season, he was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year and was selected to the All-Big 12 Second-team. 8 149 1 Kansas State.
The Colts selected Mitchell in the second round (52nd overall pick) of the 2024 NFL Draft. In 10 games this season, he has recorded 18 receptions and 211 receiving yards but is yet to score his first career touchdown.
Will He Develop into a Star?
Colts general manager Chris Ballard is often criticized for his decision-making. Yet, he has made a lot of great decisions when it comes to the draft. Since joining the franchise in 2017, Ballard has drafted quality pieces like Jonathan Taylor, Quenton Nelson, Pittman Jr., and Zaire Franklin.
Adonai Mitchell could very well be added to the list. Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne said the rookie is a steal, via Colts.com:
“He was a player (in college), he’s a player now,” Wayne said after the Colts’ win over Jacksonville in Week 5, when Mitchell had four receptions on seven targets for 38 yards. “That’s why we drafted him. We got a steal in the draft. Just keep watching.”
Wayne, the former Colts star, could eventually be right. It’s too early to tell, though. Like Mitchell, Wayne wasn’t a huge superstar as a rookie, either. He caught just 27 passes for 345 yards and no touchdowns back in 2001. Wayne later became a six-time Pro Bowler and is expected to make the Hall of Fame.
Mitchell has shown all the athletic traits that prompted the Colts to draft him in the second round. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder possesses speed and the ability to create separation from his defenders. Plus, he’s a good route runner. Anthony Richardson will need all the offensive weapons he can get to succeed as an NFL quarterback. If Mitchell continues to improve, he could certainly help the former fourth-overall pick develop. Is Mitchell a future star? No one knows the answer, but don’t be shocked if it happens later on.
Main Image: Marc Lebryk – USA Today Sports
