We saw flashes from Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver AD Mitchell in his 2024 rookie season, but heading into Year 2, more consistency will be needed.

“He’s looked good,” said wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne. “He’s come in, he’s slim, looks like he’s been working out, which is good. His attention to detail is even better, and that’s what you want to see. You want to see them grow each year. He looks good.”

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Mitchell arrived to the NFL as a fairly raw prospect, but a player loaded with upside and potential.

In his first season, Mitchell was the fourth or sometimes fifth wide receiver on the Colts‘ depth chart, at times seeing fewer snaps than Ashton Dulin. He finished his rookie year catching just 23-of-51 targets (45.1%) at 13.6 yards per catch with no touchdowns, per PFF.

At various times throughout the year, we saw dropped passes, Mitchell and the quarterback not being on the same page, and routes where the timing was off.

However, we also saw a player who has an impressive ability to create separation, particularly against man coverage. Mitchell is a terrific athlete and has nuance to his route running. When those traits are paired together, you get a receiver who can be very difficult to defend.

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Mitchell has the potential to be a player who can make an impact at all three levels of the field and do so in a variety of ways. But as a rookie, he was utilized mostly on downfield routes. In order to earn not only more opportunities from a snaps and target perspective, but also in how he is utilized within the offense, he needs to show more overall consistency.

“That he’s exactly who we drafted,” said Wayne about Mitchell’s ability to create separation. “A guy that can constantly get open. A guy that’s a threat and is special when it’s man-to-man. The next step is finishing catches. Making sure you’re on the same page as the quarterback. I think we spread it pretty evenly. Everybody contributes a certain way, but different from everyone else.”

Year 2 is often when we see NFL players make the biggest jump. The experience they gained as rookies, having a full offseason to work on their craft, and the continuity of being in the same system for a second season all contribute to that jump.

More steady play is a must, but an added challenge for Mitchell is that he is at a position where the Colts aren’t lacking options. At the moment, Mitchell may be the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart and the fifth option overall in the passing game with Tyler Warren in the mix.

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“That next step is like, alright, let me learn my role, let me focus on the things I can control and move from there,” added Wayne. “He’s backing up Alec right now. I mean, you can’t throw Alec away. Alec just had a great year. Just coming in understanding, and understanding your place, but when your number is called, let’s make sure we hit a home run and not just a base hit.”

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Reggie Wayne on Year 2 for Indianapolis Colts’ WR AD Mitchell