PFF names Colts AD Mitchell as ‘best player fit’ among all 2024 rookie wideouts

Colts’ AD Mitchell has the chance to be an immediate deep threat and push for starting reps opposite Michael Pittman Jr.—even as a rookie.

According to PFF, Indianapolis Colts rookie wideout AD Mitchell is the ‘best player fit’ among all rookie wideouts selected in the 2024 NFL Draft:

WIDE RECEIVER: ADONAI MITCHELL, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Mitchell’s landing with the Colts at No. 52 could go down as the steal of the draft. Indianapolis already has a true “X” receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. and a reliable slot receiver in Josh Downs. The Colts were missing a vertical threat as the final puzzle piece of their 11 personnel (three wide receivers) sets. They filled it with a 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver who runs a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and jumps out of the gym with much better route running than most players his size.

Yeah, consider me excited about that.

Due to alleged ‘maturity concerns,’ which a heated Colts general manager Chris Ballard later publicly detested in his ‘post-Day 2’ draft press conference, Mitchell slid to the Colts all the way to the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Mitchell was highly productive with 55 receptions for 845 receiving yards (15.4 ypr. avg.) and 11 touchdown receptions during 14 starts for the Longhorns in 2023—earning 2nd-Team All-Big 12 and conference ‘Newcomer of the Year’ honors this past season.

At 6’2,” 205 pounds, he has size, speed (4.34 forty time), sure hands, body control, and perhaps most impressively, the special ability to separate at the top of his routes.

He was an ‘absolute dawg’ at times for UT and already has a big believer in future Hall of Famer Steve Smith, formerly of the Carolina Panthers and later, the Baltimore Ravens.

Mitchell should provide immediate deep threat ability and push incumbent #2 wideout Alec Pierce for starting reps opposite lead wideout Michael Pittman Jr.—even as a rookie. At the very least, it will be fun in 2024 watching him test the maximum limits of 2nd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson’s rocket arm downfield situationally.

From that standpoint, it’s defensible why PFF went with Mitchell as their best rookie player fit positionally, even surprisingly over the likes of top wideouts like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze—all of whom went within the recent draft’s Top 10 picks.