While many are focused on the 2025 NFL draft class with rookie camps here, ESPN’s Ben Solak recently took a look at several members of the 2024 draft class, specifically 13 wide receivers, including the Indianapolis Colts’ AD Mitchell.
Mitchell was a second-round pick by the Colts in 2024 in what was a loaded wide receiver class. It ended up being a very up-and-down first season for Mitchell, with GM Chris Ballard mentioning that more consistency was needed from him moving forward.
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Mitchell would finish his rookie season catching just 23-of-51 targets (45.1%) at 13.6 yards per catch with no touchdowns, according to PFF.
“Mitchell struggled mightily last season,” wrote Solak. “We saw bad routes, bad drops, mental errors and clear moments of frustration. But it’s not too hard to see the source of his frustration. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson struggled to connect with all of his receivers, but he struggled most with Mitchell.”
Mitchell was inconsistent, and Anthony Richardson was inconsistent, which contributed to the overall underwhelming production. Not helping Mitchell’s efficiency was that a high percentage of his targets came downfield, and those naturally are going to be less likely to be caught, further dragging down his efficiency.
So the question that Solak asked regarding Mitchell was, “Is there any stability there?”
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Mitchell is more than just a downfield threat. His athleticism, ability to separate, and route-running potential makes him someone who can impact the game in a variety of ways.
But earning more targets at other levels of the field requires more consistency from him, in both his reliability as a pass catcher and as a route runner, in order for the coaching staff to give him more opportunities.
However, as Solak mentions, going beyond the consistency element, a potential hurdle for Mitchell when it comes to gaining more opportunities elsewhere is that with Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and now Tyler Warren, getting more targets on those shorter to intermediate routes could be hard to come by, given that pecking order.
Also, on the overall depth chart, Alec Pierce is going to be ahead of Mitchell as well.
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So, circling back to Solak’s question for Mitchell about stability and where it comes from, you can see the potential predicament here.
“Mitchell was used as a shot-play merchant; he was targeted on 40% of his routes against man coverage and averaged 3.9 air yards per route run, behind only New Orleans’ Rashid Shaheed,” added Solak. “He probably will remain as such while stuck behind Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and now tight end Tyler Warren in the pecking order.”
The talent is there with Mitchell–that has never been in question. Now, it’s about honing in on the finer details that come with being an NFL wide receiver. And with that, then it’s up to Shane Steichen to find ways to get Mitchell touches because he can bring some added big-play ability to the offense from all parts of the field.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: ESPN analyst weighs in on Colts’ WR AD Mitchell heading into Year 2