After going defensive in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts prioritized offense on Friday, going wide receiver with their second-round selection. On Friday, with the 52nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Indianapolis selected former Texas football star wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The Texas product becomes the fourth receiver taken during day two of the draft and the 11th overall, continuing an unprecedented run of offensive talent in this year’s draft.
On Thursday, the Colts beefed up their defense, selecting former UCLA Bruins defensive end Laiatu Latu. The Colts became the first team to go defense in the 2024 NFL draft, with Latu coming off the board at pick 15. A unanimous All-American, Latu registered 35 TFLs and 23.5 sacks in his final two years with the Bruins.
Former Texas Longhorns WR Adonai Mitchell: College Career
Adonai “AD” Mitchell is a former three-star prospect in the class of 2021. After a standout prep career at Cane Ridge High School in Tennessee, Mitchell inked his National Letter of Intent to play for the Georgia Bulldogs as a fringe four-star prospect, per 247Sports. It didn’t take long for the six-foot-four, 190-pound wideout to stand out among an elite Georgia roster. Mitchell caught seven passes for 105 yards and a score during the team’s annual spring game before his first season. Mitchell caught 29 passes for 426 yards and four scores as a true freshman while earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors for a four-reception performance against South Carolina early in the season.
Mitchell played a significant role in helping Georgia win the College Football Playoff Championship in 2022, their second title in as many years. He posted three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State in the semifinals before taking his lone reception in the title game for 22 yards and a score. However, Mitchell transferred to Texas football following the conclusion of the 2022 season. He became a lethal weapon for Steve Sarkisian’s offense last year, snagging a career-high 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year and a second-team All-Big 12 honoree, Mitchell eclipsed the century mark three times in 14 games.
Adonai Mitchell: NFL Draft Profile
According to NFL Draft Buzz, Mitchell entered the 2024 NFL draft as the sixth-ranked wide receiver and a potential late first-round draft pick. Mitchell never eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in any single season but showed a knack for the endzone in big games, scoring a touchdown in all five of the College Football Playoff games he appeared in. Mitchell shined at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.34 40-yard dash while posting elite marks in the vertical and broad jump.
Earlier this month, current and former Longhorns came to Mitchell’s defense after reports surfaced of him being “uncoachable.” The rumors of Mitchell’s lack of coachability surfaced after a popular football Twitter account posted that the star sometimes became “abrasive” and “rude” due to his diabetes diagnosis. Mitchell, his teammates, and coaches have repeatedly called the reports baseless. Meanwhile, the former Texas Longhorns pass catcher brings exceptional body control and explosiveness to the Indianapolis Colts. Additionally, quarterbacks owned a healthy 126.8 quarterback rating when targeting Mitchell.
Indianapolis Colts: Updated WR Room
Adonai Mitchell will join an already young and talented receiver room in Indianapolis. The Colts currently house Michael Pittman Jr., Joshua Downs, and Alec Pierce, all former top picks since 2020. Pittman Jr. headlines the group, posting a career-best 109 receptions and 1,152 yards in 2023 despite a season-ending injury to quarterback Anthony Richardson. Downs, a rookie last season, also flashed brilliance, including catching 23 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns during a four-game span earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Pierce had 32 receptions last year.
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