After trading down initially, the Colts were still able to land one of the top playmakers at the receiver position in this year’s draft, selecting Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at 52nd overall.
Mitchell has good size at 6-2 – 205 pounds and is an excellent athlete, posting a Relative Athletic Score of 9.99 with a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. He totaled 845 yards in 2023 as a primary boundary target, but he does have slot experience. Mitchell averaged 15.4 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns and ranked seventh in average depth of target, with the Texas offense trying to push the ball to him downfield.
This type of presence that can stretch the field, an important aspect of Shane Steichen’s offense, will not just create big plays for an offense that needs it, but it can create opportunities for others. Mitchell’s speed will also allow Steichen to scheme up designed touches where he can get the ball in space and be utilized as a pre-snap motion man as well.
With that said, Mitchell is not only a vertical presence or gadget player. He has a stong route tree and the upside to develop into a true No. 1 target, impacting all levels of the field.
Now, for more on Mitchell’s game and what he can bring to the Colts’ offense, here is what several draft analysts had to say in their scouting reports: