Horseshoe Huddle

Colts: Bold Stat Line Prediction for Rookie AD Mitchell

Bleacher Report gave their opinion on what Indianapolis Colts rookie AD Mitchell's season will look like.
Sean Ackerman|
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) runs the ball during the Big 12 Championship game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington.
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) runs the ball during the Big 12 Championship game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington. | Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

In this story:

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts made a big move in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver AD Mitchell in the second round. Mitchell is a former Texas Longhorn who sported the lowest drop rate in college football over the last two seasons (min. 100 targets).

Playing alongside Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, Mitchell will have to earn his targets from quarterback Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen has a lot to work with on his roster and it's unclear whether Mitchell will play in the starting lineup come kickoff.

Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton took a stab at what he thinks Mitchell's stats will look like in Year One. Moton has Mitchell hauling in 37 receptions for 479 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. Out of the 11 receivers he made predictions for, Mitchell's numbers appear to be the second-to-worst.

The yardage would be the lowest number of any Colts rookie receiver drafted in the first two rounds since Parris Campbell in 2019, a player that suffered from a season-ending injury early in the year. Mitchell's big-play ability and 4.34 40-yard dash speed certainly has the potential to fly well over Moton's prediction.

What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

The receiver will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this season, wearing the number 10 jersey to symbolize the number of receivers taken before him in the draft. In his final season at Texas, the 21-year-old caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns, numbers that show his true league potential while playing alongside other stars like Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy.

Moton defended his statline prediction by blaming a lack of gameplay from Anthony Richardson.

Mitchell could be more productive on the pro level than in his college years, though he doesn't have a high-level quarterback who can elevate his receiving numbers. Anthony Richardson has only started in four games, and he's coming off shoulder surgery.
Maurice Moton, B/R

If Richardson can develop into who general manager Chris Ballard thinks he can be, the Colts will have superstar on their hands. Staying healthy and improving accuracy are most important for Richardson's development, and those are two things that can be taught well at the NFL level.

Mitchell and Richardson could spark a fire under the Colts' offense this season.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X; subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

Published
Sean Ackerman
SEAN ACKERMAN

Sean Ackerman is the co-Deputy Editor of Indianapolis Colts on SI. Ackerman, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, majored in broadcasting. He's in his third year covering the NFL.

Home/News