Colts HC Hypes 'Explosive' Adonai Mitchell After Rookie Camp: 'He's Really Athletic'

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen had high praise for rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell after the first day of the team's rookie camp.

"Explosive. You can see the size. You can see the speed – hands, great hands," Steichen said. "Even watching him in individual (drills) with Reggie (Wayne) just the way he plucks the ball. He's a natural pass catcher. Again, like we talked about after the draft, he can separate at the top (of routes). He ran some good routes here in seven-on-seven. He had some one-on-one winners which was good to see."

Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds had similar praise for Mitchell, saying his speed is impressive for his height.

"He's really athletic," Dodds said. "For a long guy, usually those longer guys have a hard time getting in and out of stuff, you see a little bit of stiffness. He doesn't have that. He can get in and out. Sometimes it doesn't look like he's running really fast, but it's because he's 6-0-2-2, and he is."

Dodds also mentioned that Mitchell will "add another explosive element" due to his speed and athleticism.

Mitchell, a 6'2" receiver out of Texas, landed with the Colts in the second round. He has plenty of athleticism, running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and posting a 39.5" vertical at the NFL combine, and he's ready to show off that athletic ability this fall.

In his final collegiate season, Mitchell notched 845 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns.

Now, he's looking to help Indianapolis return to the postseason after missing the last three playoffs. The Colts filled some holes in the draft by taking defensive end Laiatu Latu along with Mitchell, and they're hoping the two draft picks will lead to success in their first years.

Indianapolis will also have a young quarterback under center in Anthony Richardson, the 2023 fourth overall pick who played just four games his rookie year while dealing with injury.

Richardson will be welcomed by a new target in Mitchell, who is getting plenty of praise from the Colts' staff ahead of his debut this fall.