Adonai

Mitchell

Mitchell was targeted just once in the Colts’ Week 16 win. He made his sole target count, making a sideline grab for a 36-yard gain. Mitchell remains a big play target for the Colts, but those big plays hit less often in a low volume passing attack. Mitchell is a boom-or-bust WR6 for Week 17 against the Giants.

Pierce suffered the brain injury in Indy’s Week 15 loss to the Broncos and remains in the league’s concussion protocol. Rookie Adonai Mitchell will take his place in the lineup for three-receiver looks. Mitchell hasn’t caught more than one pass in a game since Week 10. Even in an elevated role, he is buried in the WR6 ranks for Week 16.

Even worse than his donut in the receiving department: Mitchell threw an interception for a touchdown in the second half on a throw back to Anthony Richardson. The pick-six essentially ended the game and perhaps the Colts’ postseason hopes. Mitchell, who had just two catches over the Colts’ past three games headed into Week 15, is not fantasy viable unless Alec Pierce (head) misses Week 16 against the Titans.

Mitchell’s first target was an end zone look that was well-defended by Pats corner Marcus Jones. His second was a deep shot late in the game where Jones again got the better of Mitchell. This time, Mitchell had the upper hand at the catch point but still couldn’t come down with the ball. It’s just not happening for Mitchell this year. He’s struggling to earn targets and fails to do anything when the occasional look comes his way. Mitchell is not on the fantasy radar as the playoffs approach.

Mitchell now has two catches for 43 yards in two games since Anthony Richardson returned under center. Predictably, there isn’t enough pass-game volume in this offense for Mitchell to command consistent looks, while Alec Pierce is the featured option down the field. Mitchell doesn’t need to be rostered in 12-team leagues down the stretch.

Mitchell’s volume predictably disappeared just as soon as it emerged with Anthony Richardson under center, though his first quarter grab set the Colts up at the Jets’ one-yard line. Mitchell seems to be pleasing the Colts’ coaching staff, but this is too tough of an environment for a rookie pass catcher to command looks. He’ll find himself outside the top 60 for a rough Week 12 matchup with the Lions.

With Michael Pittman (back) out for the game, Mitchell got extra playing time, and made the most of it, showing sure hands and solid route running in the intermediate areas of the field, mainly by the sidelines. He would continue to see more work in the passing game if Pittman were to miss any more time but remains behind both Josh Downs and Alec Pierce in the pecking order. He also fumbled on his first catch of the game but was lucky when the ball squirted out from the gut of a Bills defender and teammate Josh Downs landed on it.

He now has 11 targets for 48 yards since Week 6. All Colts’ ancillary receivers are full fantasy fades until we see more signs of life from their offense.

Mitchell’s 30 yards matched his second most of the season. The rookie has now caught multiple passes in three straight games, but it hasn’t translated to fantasy value even when a more pass-happy Joe Flacco was under center. With today’s starter Anthony Richardson, Mitchell has essentially zero shot at posting WR4/5 statlines behind Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce.

The Colts continue to say nice things about their second-round rookie, but he’s posted double-digit receiving yards just twice in six games. Regardless of who is under center for Indy, Mitchell isn’t looking worthy of a roster spot in 12-team re-draft leagues right now.