Adonai Mitchell's rookie season marked a bumpy introduction to the NFL, but the Colts wide receiver sees a world of difference entering his second year because of the foundation he now has to stand on.
The offense and team approach is the same under head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, and so are Mitchell's top teammates in the WR room -- Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce -- allowing the 2024 second-rounder to settle in and keep the focus on improving.
"Last year, it just felt like I was ripping and running from the start of camp to the end of the year," Mitchell said Saturday, per the team's website. "But I got the ability to get my first offseason under my belt, got a lot of time to, first of all, relax and work at the same time. And now, we in year two now, and I just feel more comfortable, whether it's in the meeting rooms, walkthroughs. I'm not focused on what the play is, what do I have to do? I'm focused on how I'm doing it, and why I'm doing what I'm doing. And that's just, I feel like that's kind of year two things."
Mitchell got his feet wet quickly in 2024. He started the Colts' first two games of the season, but he failed to find the end zone over the course of the year and finished with 312 yards on 23 receptions. Although he appeared in all 17 contests, he started only five more beyond the first two weeks, and had 12 games with one of fewer receptions.
As a receiver whose greatest asset at this point of his young career is speed, it makes sense it could take time for Mitchell to adjust to the NFL game as he works on professional preparation and crisper route-running. For what it's worth, his OC has noticed a bump in playmaking during camp.
"He's done a really nice job making plays," Cooter said. "This past week he's had a bunch of opportunities, like all these receivers. Sometimes you get a few more, you get a few less each week. AD's number has been called a few times, and the quarterback has looked his way a few extra times, and he's taken advantage of those things."
Mitchell also believes he's made strides, something that can only help the Colts as they conduct their quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
"I knew it would eventually come together," Mitchell said. "I know my hands work, I know my routes work. It was all just a matter of time."
Never short on confidence, Mitchell also spoke of his ability against a single man in coverage: "I knew I belonged. I knew if somebody leaves me one-on-one on an island, somebody gonna regret it and it ain't gonna be me. So kind of just refining my game, knowing where to be."
If comfortability indeed leads to productivity for Mitchell, he could push his way into the starting lineup beyond just a cameo in 2025. With Pittman and Downs entrenched in Indy's offense, that would require beating out fellow speedster Alec Pierce, who caught only 14 more passes than Mitchell last season but made the absolute most of it with 824 yards, seven touchdowns and a league-leading 22.3 yards per reception.
For now, though, Mitchell isn't looking at the depth chart or expectations for the year ahead; he's focused solely on stringing together good performances.
"Just take it day by day, man," Mitchell said. "I'm not even looking at the season or the preseason...just taking everything day by day, step by step and just keep marching forward."
