Is Adonai Mitchell good? What to know about new Jets WR acquired in Sauce Gardner trade

The New York Jets stunned the NFL world on Tuesday, accepting the Indianapolis Colts' offer for star cornerback Sauce Gardner during another lost season. Aaron Glenn's unit opened the year in a rough 1-7 stretch, opting to then send out its top defensive player for multiple first-round picks.

It wasn't just those valuable draft selections that the Jets landed in the blockbuster trade, though. Indianapolis also sent out young wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who now joins the Jets in the second year of his career.

The 2025 season won't bring a realistic playoff push for the Jets. But could Mitchell blossom into a good wideout for the team over the remainder of the season, establishing himself as a piece for the Jets' future?

Here's a breakdown of Mitchell's talents and everything to know about the Jets' newest receiver.

MORE NFL TRADE DEADLINE:

• Full list of every deal completed on deadline day
• Complete trade grades, from Colts acing Sauce Gardner deal to Jets flunking
• Ranking all the trade deadline deals from best to worst
• Who are the biggest winners and losers from 2025 deadline? 

Is Adonai Mitchell good?

If Mitchell is one thing, it's unproven. He's only in the second year of his career after being selected 52nd overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Colts drafted Mitchell with hopes that he could become a key weapon in the future of their offense, especially with a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson who was still ironing out his issues as well. As recently as the 2024 season, Indianapolis continued to head toward a rebuild — meaning players like Richardson and Mitchell would have room to develop, without much expectation to make a playoff run.

The 2025 season has flipped everything for the Colts. After signing Daniel Jones in free agency and adding tight end Tyler Warren in the draft, the team has clicked on almost every level, becoming one of the AFC's true contenders at the halfway point of the season. That success came behind a strong run game with Jonathan Taylor, defensive improvements and Jones excelling with Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce and Warren as his top weapons. 

But the success also meant there was less room for Richardson or Mitchell to grow. The quarterback has fallen out of favor as Jones' backup on the bench, while Mitchell fell behind in the wide receiver depth chart. Pittman, Pierce and Joshua Downs were all more proven and reliable weapons, not to mention Taylor and Warren being two centerpieces of the Colts' 2025 offense.

So, all of that is to say: there's likely some untapped potential in Mitchell, which the Jets will try to find as they enter a very clear rebuilding phase. In his final collegiate season, Mitchell put up 845 yards with 11 touchdowns for Texas in 2023. He has plus speed and athleticism, and he's a strong route-runner. Mitchell just hasn't had much room for opportunity in Indianapolis so far after totaling 312 receiving yards in his rookie season.

Mitchell's status on the Colts only declined more when he made a costly error earlier this season against the Rams, losing the football while celebrating just as he was about to cross the goal line for a touchdown following a nice play.

Ball is out before it crosses the goal line. It’s a touchback!

INDvsLAR on FOX/FOX One https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/DtuT1kDX9s

— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025

That would have been Mitchell's first career touchdown — and watching the first few seconds of the play, he displayed the playmaking ability that made him a second-round pick. That's what the Jets are hoping they can get out of the receiver.

He's young and hasn't yet taken the leap toward reliability the Colts had hoped, but Mitchell's talents should be much more attainable in New York as the Jets trend toward the AFC cellar once again in 2025.

#Jets are getting lots of upside in Adonai Mitchell pic.twitter.com/Su1Oj6dX6f

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) November 4, 2025

MORE: Why did the Jets trade Sauce Gardner?

Jets WR depth chart

The Jets came into the 2025 season without many passing weapons around star receiver Garrett Wilson, and that has not changed. Running the football has been New York's identity with a mobile quarterback in Justin Fields. Wilson remains the top target in the offense, but there is still plenty of room for Mitchell to immediately start getting targets with the Jets.

Tight end Mason Taylor is becoming another good weapon, but New York doesn't have a bonafide WR2 behind Wilson. Tyler Johnson has the second-most receiving yards for a wideout with 187, while veteran Josh Reynolds follows with 101. 

Mitchell can very easily become one of Fields' top receivers through the rest of the lost 2025 season and give the Jets a player to rely on through the air. If he can get closer to his ceiling he displayed in college, Mitchell would make for a great route-runner and speedy weapon alongside Wilson.

MORE: Grading the Sauce Gardner trade

Adonai Mitchell Madden rating

Adonai Mitchell is a 73 overall in Madden NFL 26. He has a 94 rating in speed, a 95 rating in acceleration, and an 81 rating in catching. 

Adonai Mitchell age

Mitchell is 23 years old. He won't turn 24 until Oct. 8, 2026. 

MORE: Updated look at Jets' draft picks following Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams deals

Adonai Mitchell contract

Mitchell is still playing on his rookie deal, which was a four-year contract worth $7,386,086 he signed in 2024. The wide receiver is under contract through the 2027 season.

Adonai Mitchell stats

Here's a look at Adonai Mitchell's numbers in his two NFL seasons.