Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Likely to see expanded role
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With Alec Pierce (concussion) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Mitchell is expected to see an expanded offensive role, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Sunday will mark Pierce's first absence of the season, though he did miss nearly half of last week's loss to the Broncos after being concussed. After Pierce was sidelined last week, Josh Downs and Mitchell were the biggest beneficiaries behind Michael Pittman in terms of playing time. It should be much of the same versus Tennessee, with Ashton Dulin mixing in for his blocking prowess. Mitchell and Anthony Richardson have yet to be on the same page -- or chapter -- this season, as Mitchell has failed to catch a single pass on six targets over the last two weeks despite increased reps. It's difficult to trust Mitchell for Week 16 fantasy lineups.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: No receptions again in loss
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Mitchell did not have a reception on four targets in Sunday's loss at Denver. He also threw a backwards pass that was returned for a touchdown on a trick play and officially ruled a fumble.
For a second consecutive game, Mitchell got significant playing time on offense (37 of the offense's 76 snaps) but failed to produce. He had no receptions on two targets in a Week 13 loss to the Patriots. Mitchell had a rapport with Anthony Richardson on deep passes earlier in the season, but they've failed to rekindle the connection since the QB's return to the lineup.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Rise continues in Week 10 loss
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Mitchell brought in all six targets for 71 yards in the Colts' 30-20 loss to the Bills on Sunday. He also committed a fumble, but it was recovered by Indianapolis.
The rookie set new career highs in receptions and receiving yards while also setting the pace in catches on the day for the Colts. Mitchell's target total was also the second highest of his young career, with the fact Michael Pittman (back) was inactive undoubtedly helping the second-round pick's cause. Mitchell should continue to see a progressively larger role through the second half of the season, although his outlook is arguably brighter with the more accurate Joe Flacco under center as opposed to the more erratic Anthony Richardson.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Expected to see elevated snaps
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With Michael Pittman (back) ruled out, Mitchell is expected to see elevated offensive snaps in Sunday's game against the Bills, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
"He's improving, so looking forward to him playing this week," coach Shane Steichen said of Mitchell. The rookie played a season-low five offensive snaps in last Sunday night's loss to the Vikings, but he's expected to bump up the depth chart alongside Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, and Ashton Dulin also will see playing time as a plus blocker in the run game. Mitchell has big-play ability but has been unable to show it yet in the NFL, having failed to reach 40 receiving yards in any game this season.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Just one reception in loss
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Mitchell had one reception for nine yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Houston.
Mitchell again continues to be a favorite of quarterback Anthony Richardson in the fourth receiver role as he had four targets on ten routes while playing on just 13 of the offense's 64 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. However, the Colts may switch to Joe Flacco at quarterback this week at Minnesota.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Two receptions in win
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Mitchell had two receptions for 30 yards on three targets in Sunday's win over Miami.
Mitchell played on just 14 of the offense's 62 snaps operating as the No. 4 receiver but was second on the team in targets. He's developed a rapport with Anthony Richardson on deep passes but may not get many targets unless the Colts are playing from far behind.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Four receptions in loss
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Mitchell had four receptions for 38 yards on seven targets and one carry for four yards in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
Mitchell surprisingly played on 19 of the offense's 79 snaps and had seven targets after having no receptions and four targets combined the prior two games with the return of Josh Downs from an ankle injury. Mitchell had another drop and mixed performance, so he may struggle to find steady work as the No. 4 receiver with the top three options healthy. He appeared to have won the third receiver role over Alec Pierce in the preseason, but Pierce has a clear hold on that job at this point.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Held catchless against Steelers
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Mitchell failed to secure any of his three targets in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Steelers.
Mitchell added one carry for 10 yards in the contest. The rookie wideout failed to record a catch for the second-straight week with teammate Josh Downs back in the lineup in each of the last two games. Mitchell played 20 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in Week 4, limiting his opportunities to contribute in a meaningful way. As long as Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce and Downs are healthy, the 21-year-old Mitchell will likely continue to operate in a reserve role, limiting his fantasy utility. The Colts will visit the Jaguars in Week 5.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Moves to limited role
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Mitchell did not have a reception and had just one target in Sunday's win over Chicago.
With Josh Downs returning from a high ankle sprain, Mitchell moved to a reserve role. Mitchell played just seven snaps on offense and fell behind Alec Pierce, who played on 43 of the offense's 56 snaps. He even played less than Ashton Dulin (14 snaps). Mitchell appeared to have won the third receiver role over Pierce in the preseason, but Pierce has had several big plays the first three games while Mitchell had a crucial drop Week 2. It may take some time before Mitchell finds a prominent role in the offense again barring injuries to the top three receivers.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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Alec Pierce (1 percent rostered) had the best game for the Colts receivers against Houston with three catches for 125 yards and a touchdown on three targets, but Mitchell nearly had a huge game as well on some missed opportunities. He finished one catch for 2 yards on five targets, and I want to stash Mitchell on my bench based on his upside, especially while Josh Downs (ankle) is out. Mitchell is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Five targets in NFL debut
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Mitchell caught one of five targets for two yards in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
The rookie wideout didn't make an impact in his NFL debut, but Mitchell had opportunities to do so and got overthrown by Anthony Richardson -- including on what would have been a wide-open touchdown in the second quarter. Mitchell finished second on the Colts in targets, but it's not clear how big a role he'll have when Josh Downs (ankle) gets healthy. Mitchell will try to establish more chemistry with his QB in Week 2 against the Packers.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Poised for decent volume in debut
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Mitchell could see additional targets Sunday against the Texans, as JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports that Josh Downs (ankle) has been ruled out.
Mitchell's likely to play primarily in the slot, but there will likely be more opportunities for both the rookie second-round draft pick and Alec Pierce alongside Michael Pittman in Downs' absence. Mitchell showed promising chemistry with quarterback Anthony Richardson as they connected for a touchdown in the preseason finale, and they will look to carry that success over into the regular season.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Scores TD in preseason finale
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Mitchell caught two of four targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 27-14 preseason win over the Bengals.
Mitchell had a pair of nine-yard receptions on the opening drive, the second of which resulted in a touchdown over the middle from the slot. Anthony Richardson completed only one more pass across the starters' four other drives in the game, so Richardson was unable to build on his hot start. Mitchell's ability to line up outside or in the slot should earn the rookie second-round pick plenty of playing time out of the gate, especially with Josh Downs' (ankle) status uncertain for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Texans.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Catches pass from backup QB
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Mitchell caught one of two targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 34-30 preseason loss to the Broncos. He started at slot receiver with the starting offense.
Both of Mitchell's targets came from backup Joe Flacco on the third drive of the game, as the rookie wide receiver wasn't thrown to by Anthony Richardson on the first two possessions. Mitchell and Alec Pierce had been splitting first-team reps in training camp prior to Josh Downs' high-ankle sprain in practice Wednesday, which could open the door for both Mitchell and Pierce to play prominent roles early in the regular season alongside No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman. Mitchell will look to flash more of the skills that made him a second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft when the Colts continue preseason play Saturday against the Cardinals.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Gets work as slot receiver
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Mitchell worked in the slot with the first-team offense in Friday's practice with Josh Downs sidelined with a high-ankle sprain, Kevin Bowen of 92.5 FM The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Mitchell and Alex Pierce have been in competition for the No. 3 receiver role, but both could begin the campaign in three-receiver sets if Downs misses regular-season games. It's notable that Mitchell got work in the slot, as he had mostly been seen as a perimeter receiver and deep threat. The 2024 second-round draft pick could find an additional path to playing time as a result.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Listed as co-starter at No. 3 WR
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Mitchell and Alec Pierce are listed as co-starters at the third wide receiver spot on the Colts' first unofficial depth chart.
Mitchell and Pierce have been splitting time with the first-team offense so far in training camp, with reports suggesting Pierce has been more productive but Mitchell has had impressive moments. It's still early in the competition for playing time, but it's notable that the Colts are giving the rookie equal billing so soon rather than deferring to the more senior wideout.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Even split for No. 3 WR competition
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Mitchell and Alec Pierce have rotated playing time between the first- and second-team offenses through the first week of training camp, Indianapolis 93.5 The Fan reports.
Mitchell and Pierce are battling for the No. 3 receiver role in the offense. It's early in the contest, but it's notable that Mitchell as the rookie didn't immediately begin camp with the second unit. The Colts used the 52nd pick in the 2024 Draft on Mitchell, a combine standout who made a strong impression in spring practices.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Indy ends slide in second round
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The Colts selected Mitchell in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 52nd overall.
Mitchell (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) was almost universally expected to go much earlier than this, as the former Texas and Georgia receiver dazzled at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.34-second 40-yard dash, 136-inch broad jump) following a productive end to his Longhorns career (55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns on 92 targets in 2023). Mitchell drew fewer targets at Texas than first-round pick and fellow wideout Xavier Worthy, and that might be evidence of a potential target cap with Mitchell in the NFL as well. However, at the very least, he should prove an explosive No. 2 receiver even if he never turns into a 100-catch player. He'll need to compete with 2022 second-round pick Alec Pierce and 2023 third-round pick Josh Downs for snaps before any such breakout occurs, though.
