Jets' Adonai Mitchell: Part of Gardner trade with Jets
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The Colts traded Mitchell and two first-round picks to the Jets for CB Sauce Gardner on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Indianapolis invested a second-round pick in Mitchell in the 2024 Draft, but the union never meshed, as the wide receiver totaled 32 catches (on 71 targets) for 464 yards and no touchdowns in 25 games through one-and-a-half seasons. In the move to New York, he'll join a receiving corps led by Garrett Wilson but not much more, giving him a chance to rationalize the draft capital invested in him. With Wilson currently dealing with a knee injury, it remains to be seen how soon Mitchell will get acclimated and up to speed with the Jets offense.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Just one reception in loss
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Mitchell had one reception for two yards on one target in Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh.
Mitchell played four snaps on offense. He's still behind Ashton Dulin, who played seven snaps on offense. While it's encouraging that Mitchell is getting any targets following his demotion for a much-publicized mental error in Week 4 when he erased a would-be 76-yard receiving touchdown by dropping the ball prior to crossing the goal line, he's not likely to get much more playing time without injuries in the receiving corps.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: No receptions in Week 8 win
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Mitchell failed to haul in his lone target while playing nine of the Colts' 53 snaps on offense in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.
Since making a much-publicized mental error in Week 4 when he erased a would-be 76-yard receiving touchdown by dropping the ball prior to crossing the goal line in the third quarter of a loss to the Rams, Mitchell has seen his playing time get cut significantly. The return of Alec Pierce from a two-game absence was a contributing factor, but Mitchell has also been bypassed for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart at receiver by Ashton Dulin, who has out-snapped Mitchell in three of the past four weeks. With all of Indianapolis' key receivers back to full health, Mitchell doesn't appear likely to get another chance at logging extensive playing time anytime soon.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Bypassed on depth chart
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Mitchell had one reception for eight yards on his only target in Sunday's 38-24 win over the Chargers.
A healthy inactive for the Colts' Week 6 win over the Cardinals, Mitchell was back in the mix Sunday but handled only a light role on offense. The second-year wideout played just five snaps, and the Colts turned to Anthony Gould as their No. 3 receiver ahead of him while Josh Downs (concussion) and Ashton Dulin (chest) were both out with injuries. Gould took the field for 39 of the offense's 60 snaps.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Chance at redemption Week 7
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Mitchell, who was inactive for the Colts' Week 6 win over the Cardinals, will play Sunday against the Chargers, while Indianapolis will be without Josh Downs (concussion) and Ashton Dulin (chest), James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Mitchell's Week 4 performance against the Rams encapsulated both his upside and drawbacks, as he recorded 96 receiving yards but made multiple mental mistakes, including losing hold on the football just before crossing the goal line to turn a would-be touchdown into a touchback. He subsequently played just six snaps Week 5 and was inactive Week 6. Injuries have paved the way for the 2024 second-round draft pick to reclaim a role in three-receiver sets alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, but Mitchell will face a Chargers defense that has allowed only two touchdowns to wide receivers this season.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Inactive Sunday
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Mitchell is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.
With Alec Pierce back from a concussion, Mitchell is the odd man out in the Colts' Week 6 wideout corps. Also in uniform at the position Sunday are Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin and Anthony Gould.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Set for decreased role in Week 5
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Mitchell is expected to handle a more limited role on offense during Sunday's game against the Raiders, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell was given an opportunity at a larger role in Week 4 against the Rams due to the absence of Alec Pierce (concussion). Though the second-year wideout logged three catches (on four targets) for 96 yards, he had a 76-yard receiving touchdown wiped out after inadvertently dropping the football right before reaching the end zone. He then had a costly holding penalty in the fourth quarter that negated a Jonathan Taylor 53-yard rushing touchdown. Pierce will end up missing a second straight game Sunday against Las Vegas, but Fowler relays that veteran Ashton Dulin -- not Mitchell -- will likely see more snaps as the Colts' third receiver alongside Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: In line for increased snaps
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With Alec Pierce (concussion) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Mitchell is expected to see increased playing time on offense.
Mitchell has played just 23 percent of the offensive snaps through three games as the Colts' fourth WR, but with Pierce sidelined, Mitchell figures to play a prominent role in two- and three-wide sets on the outside opposite Michael Pittman with Josh Downs manning the slot. Mitchell has been targeted eight times on his limited playing time this season, catching four passes for 41 scoreless yards. Mitchell has all the physical traits to be a difference-making wideout, and he'll get a chance to show it in a possible shootout against Los Angeles.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: No receptions in win
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Mitchell did not have a reception on two targets in Sunday's win at Tennessee.
Michell played on 24 of the offense's 57 snaps as he saw an increase in playing time, but that didn't translate into more opportunities. He drew raves in training camp, so he could still shine if an injury in the receiving corps gives him more opportunity.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: One catch in preseason finale
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Mitchell brought in his only target for four yards in the Colts' 41-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday afternoon.
Mitchell was in on the opening possession, when he recorded his four-yard grab from the afternoon's starter, Riley Leonard. The second-year wideout saw limited playing time this preseason on his way to a 4-49 line on eight targets across the trio of exhibitions, and he projects to open the season as the likely No. 4 receiver.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: One catch in second preseason game
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Mitchell had one reception for eight yards on his lone target in Saturday's preseason loss to Green Bay. He also had a key offsides penalty which negated a 38-yard pass play to Anthony Gould.
Mitchell has been a star of training camp by dominating opposing corners in scrimmages, according to James Boyd of The Athletic, but his path to success during regular-season games isn't clear. Mitchell sits fourth on the depth chart at receiver and the Colts may struggle to have competent quarterback play. Mitchell also needs to avoid mistakes like the one he made Saturday and last season. Still, he could surprise if given an extended opportunity this season.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Coming on after slow start
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Mitchell stood out in the past week after continuing to struggle with drops in the first week of training camp, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.
Mitchell had the lowest catch rate among wide receivers with at least 45 targets in his rookie season at 41.8 percent (23 catches on 55 targets). The 2024 second-round pick dropped at least four passes in the first week of training camp but turned things around by catching at least three deep passes in the Colts' last four practices. Mitchell's listed as a reserve behind starters Michael Pittman (groin), Josh Downs and Alec Pierce on the Colts' unofficial depth chart ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Held catchless in win
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Mitchell failed to secure his lone target in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Jaguars.
Mitchell was a complete non-factor in Sunday's contest, unable to reel in the only pass that came his way. The rookie wideout played just 16 of the Colts' 78 offensive snaps while operating as the No. 4 wide receiver behind Michael Pittman (71), Alec Pierce (64) and Josh Downs (59). Mitchell finished the 2024 campaign with just 23 receptions for 312 yards, failing to find the end zone through 17 games. The 22-year-old will enter the second year of his rookie deal in 2025, as the Colts will likely look to get the young receiver more involved in their offensive attack now that he has more experience within their system.
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Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Big gain on one catch Sunday
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Mitchell recorded a 36-yard reception on his only target in the Colts' 38-30 win over the Titans on Sunday.
The speedy rookie finished second on the team in receiving yards despite the modest total as he filled the perimeter role normally belonging to the sidelined Alec Pierce (concussion). Mitchell's 36-yard reception in the latter portion of the second quarter helped set up a Matt Gay field goal and gave Mitchell, who hadn't recorded a reception in the previous two games, his fourth catch of 20-plus yards on the campaign. If Pierce is unable to clear concussion protocol in time for a Week 17 road matchup against the Giants, Mitchell will remain a boom-or-bust option against a secondary that's given up some big plays this season.
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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.
