During his season-ending press conference, general manager Chris Ballard was asked about AD Mitchell, his rookie season and where he can improve.
In short, the Colts will need more consistency from Mitchell in year two.
“As with any young player, there will be a maturation process for him” Ballard said via the team site. “And he definitely has some really strong moments, but we need more consistent moments from him.”
Of course, this is normal for almost every young player as they have to deal with the learning curve that comes with making the jump from college to the NFL level.
Mitchell finished his rookie season with just 23 of 51 targets (45.1%) for 13.6 yards per catch and no touchdowns. He and quarterback Anthony Richardson often disagreed early in the season and dropped passes were a problem all year.
Mitchell's up-and-down play, as well as Alec Pierce's breakout season, often resulted in him playing only 10 to 15 snaps per game and at times being the fifth receiver on the depth chart behind Ashton Dulin in terms of playing time.
But despite the inconsistent play, what is evident about Mitchell is that he has the ability to get open. With an impressive combination of route running and athleticism, he is difficult to defend and knows how to create separation.
There were moments in the second half of the season where he provided a more steady presence, including a six-catch, 71-yard performance in Week 10. In Weeks 16 and 17, Mitchell caught three of four passes for an impressive 58 yards .
The talent is there, that was never in question, but now it's about honing the finer points of being an NFL wide receiver. Like many second-year players, having a full offseason to hone his skills while also playing a second year in the same offensive system can be catalysts for improved play.
But while this Colts' roster needs more competition overall, there's already plenty of playing time in the receiver room, and playing time for Mitchell – an early round pick – will need to be earned with Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Pierce all returning next season.
