The 2024 NFL Draft will begin on April 25 in Detroit. With a wide array of talent at wideout, let’s take a look at acrobatic Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Draft scouting reports.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, University of Texas
Jersey: No. 5
Position: Wide Receiver
School: University of Texas
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 190 lbs.
Mitchell was originally a three-star receiver out of Cane Ridge High School in Antioch, Tenn. Initially committed to the Ole Miss Rebels, he eventually flipped to the University of Georgia. He was a starter for the Bulldogs in 2022 before moving again, this time transferring to Texas.
Mitchell was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2023, received All-Big 12 second-team honors, and set career highs with 55 receptions, 845 yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns. His 11 receiving touchdowns rank fifth in Texas history for a single season.
Adonai Mitchell is SPECIAL ⭐️
pic.twitter.com/1AhbHUrVNu— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 5, 2024
Strengths
Mitchell is a shifty, athletic, high-flying receiver. In his routes, he’s very fluid, with not a lot of choppy steps in breaks. He does an excellent job rocking corners to sleep with his releases, then using sudden bursts to get open. His leaping ability and hands flash throughout his tape.
Another major strength of his is body control. He isn’t somebody who can only launch into the air with two feet, being able to do so off one foot with ease. Quarterback Quinn Ewers developed great chemistry with him through the back-shoulder throw, where Mitchell would run a fade, leap, and completely flip his hips in mid-air while making the catch. His 6-foot-4-inch frame makes him a problem in the red zone, too.
Weaknesses
The main issue that popped up throughout the film was his willingness (or lack thereof) in the blocking game. He could fall asleep out there sometimes, letting his assignment get by him. There are instances where simply doesn’t show the determination to keep his guy out of the play.
His consistency is also an issue. He leaves you wanting more out of his separation and play speed at times. When the ball is coming his way, you can see he has the speed. When it’s not coming towards him, you don’t always see the same enthusiasm.
Pro Comparison: CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb is more explosive, but he and Mitchell move almost identically. Mitchell’s fluidity, athleticism, and ball skills are almost mirror images of Lamb’s when he was coming out of college. With a little more time in the lab and more chances, we could see Mitchell looking something like Lamb in a few years.
Draft Projection: Late First Round
This year’s draft is full of talent. As a result, guys who would’ve been surefire first-round picks are getting pushed down into the second and third rounds. There are a good number of teams drafting in the 20s that could use a pass catcher, and they have a large number to choose from. Outside of expected top picks Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Marvin Harrison Jr., Mitchell may lead the next tier.
Teams like Arizona, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Houston would love to have a sure-handed, big-body receiver like Mitchell on their team.
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