The Texas Longhorns had multiple wide receivers drafted to the NFL in 2023. One of those players, Adonai Mitchell, was selected by the Indianapolis Colts and now gets to play with the cannon-armed Anthony Richardson. Mitchell also gets to benefit from Shane Steichen’s strong offensive scheme.
Can Mitchell develop within his rookie season into a fantasy asset for our fantasy football team? Let’s look at Mitchell’s fantasy outlook and help paint a picture of what will come in 2024 for the new Colts wide receiver.
Adonai Mitchell’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 Season
Mitchell had a strong season for the Longhorns last year, scoring 11 touchdowns on 55 receptions. According to PlayerProfiler, he produced a 32% dominator rating, which has fantasy fanatics excited to watch him play in the NFL. The real question with a rookie wide receiver is what Mitchell brings to the field as a player.
First, we have to talk about his size. Mitchell stands at 6’4″, which helps elevate his game before he even begins to run his routes.
For his size, Mitchell is extremely fluid in his route running and can be labeled as borderline fast. His speed in his footwork allows Mitchell to create a quick release off the line and produce separation for his quarterback to zip in a pass.
Mitchell’s uniqueness and nuances in his game allow him to get open, especially in his deep routes, where he thrives.
Whenever we analyze the positives in a rookie’s game, we must also look at the areas that need to improve to help elevate his game in the NFL.
Although Mitchell has a strong shoulder dip to avoid contact when running by defenders, he seems hesitant to become pyschial with hand chops. He needs to develop an arsenal of ways to avoid the defenders and allow him to create even more separation for the Colts’ offense.
Another area for improvement regarding Mitchell’s game is his struggle to catch the ball in the air. When standing 6’4″, we expect a bigger man to rise into the air and win those jump ball moments the majority of the time.
Another issue for wide receivers is between the ears. When they are not the offense’s focal point, we can see a dejected and disappointed player on the field. Throughout his college career, Mitchell has had multiple moments when his effort and body language have been questioned.
Is Adonai Mitchell A Good Fantasy Pick?
Mitchell is an excellent later-round dart throw for your fantasy football team. His average draft position (ADP) sits at 149th overall, which means he won’t be a costly mistake if he doesn’t pan out during the 2024 season.
Mitchell gets to enter an offense looking for someone who can take the top off the defense and will get to combine that need with Richardson’s incredible arm strength. Mitchell will also face one of the easier strengths of schedules in the NFL this season.
When drafting a late-round wide receiver, we must look for elite size, athletic ability that others do not possess, and opportunity. All three of those traits reside within Adonai Mitchell’s fantasy outlook.
The only warning is to prepare for the Bye-Pocalypse in Week 14 as the Colts are one of six teams that will be on bye in the fantasy playoffs this season; otherwise, feel comfortable taking a shot on a talented player in a potent offense.