Adonai Mitchell didn't get a real chance to break out as a rookie wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.
The WR depth chart was crowded, and the quarterback play simply wasn't good enough. When Anthony Richardson completes less than half of his passes, it's tough for any wideout to have a big year.
But heading into year two, Mitchell has a reason for hope.
ESPN's Seth Walder pointed out this impressive statistic: Mitchell ranked top-10 in the NFL in 2024 in "Open score," an analytic that more or less grades what it says, just how open a WR gets on each play.
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"I'm a believer in the receiver after a somewhat disappointing rookie campaign, which was plagued by missed connections downfield, because he also showed signs of real potential," Walder wrote.
The Colts chose Daniel Jones to be their Week 1 starter, which is at least conceptually better news for the receiving corps than the erratic Richardson.
Jones has never been amazing, but he's also been good enough to let talented receivers shine.
Mitchell isn't the WR1 here. That honor still belongs to Michael Pittman.
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But Mitchell does have as much talent as anyone in the receiver room. They'll be aided by a new tight end, as well, in rookie Tyler Warren, who was the No. 14 overall pick out of Penn State.
It adds up to a group that has a real chance to pair nicely through the air with Jonathan Taylor on the ground.
Mitchell's progress will go a long way toward determining how much scoring the Colts can do this season.
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