KC Chiefs 2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the Kansas City Chiefs are seeking yet another quality haul from general manager Brett Veach.
In recent seasons, Veach and his staff have used the draft to bring in cost-controlled young talents to insulate a championship roster. The results speak for themselves, although windows can close quickly. Kansas City hopes that a good 2024 rookie class joining one of football's younger teams can keep the franchise in top competitive form.
With the draft on the horizon, Arrowhead Report is taking a look at prospects who could hear their names called in late April. Up first is the wide receiver position and, more specifically, Texas standout Adonai Mitchell.
Background
- Height: 6022
- Weight: 205
- Age: 21
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.8
- 2023: 55 receptions, 845 yards, 11 touchdowns
- Played two seasons at Georgia before transferring to Texas
Where Mitchell creates advantages
Mitchell is a good athlete with nice size. He tested extremely well at the NFL Scouting Combine, indicating that he's more explosive than many initially thought. He's a smooth glider on the field who uses long strides to get from point A to point B with relative ease. There's a suddenness to his route-running process; Mitchell uses tempo and choppy footwork to keep opposing defensive backs honest. Herky-jerky around the line of scrimmage, Mitchell boasts very intriguing upside on simple slants or run-pass option (RPO) concepts.
Mitchell didn't measure as tall as some expected, but he still has a tremendous catch radius and the ability to high-point the football. That, combined with very reliable hands, makes him a potential red zone threat and ball-winner at the NFL level. He can run most routes well and doesn't project to be pigeonholed into one specific role moving forward. Working the intermediate area of the field — settling into soft spots in zone coverage and working in-breakers versus man — is a possible gold mine for him.
Where Mitchell could be at a disadvantage
Right off the bat, a look at the advanced stats from Mitchell's college career won't make anyone feel better about his profile. Most peripherals and analytics reflect poorly on him. There's a serious lack of consistent per-snap production via yards per route run or yards after the catch. While Mitchell's 4.34-second 40-yard dash time graded out as elite, his game speed doesn't always depict a true "burner."
Mitchell's frame is a bit lanky, although he appeared to gain weight in time for the Combine or was listed lower than his playing weight on Texas' website. Having just one year of high-end production under his belt, it's sometimes easy to see that Mitchell is still developing. He occasionally mistimes jumps, takes less-than-ideal paths when tracking the ball and relies on one particular release package. Effort when not primarily involved in the play wanes.
The verdict
In a 2024 NFL Draft class packed with receiver talent, Mitchell finds himself near the top. Behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers, there's a drop-off to a multitude of wideouts who could realistically be in play for Kansas City at pick No. 32. Mitchell is one of them, accompanied by five or six other names.
The upside for Mitchell is obvious. His 100th percentile outcome is combining his catch-point skills and athletic gifts to become a game-breaker and elite target at the next level. Despite some questions about consistency and more refined statistical production, he's a worthy early pick that a team should welcome into the fold with open arms within the top 50 selections.
With Patrick Mahomes under center, the Chiefs haven't traditionally invested premium assets in players like Mitchell. On the other hand, he'd give them multiple traits that can alter playoff matchups and take pressure off Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. The fit, while different, is still absolutely there. Only time will tell if Kansas City feels the same way.
