Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone and plenty of talent still remains on the board heading into Day 2.
Adonai Mitchell headed into the 2024 NFL Draft as one of several intriguing talents in a loaded wide receiver class that saw quite a few players selected on Day 1.
Mitchell is still on the board on Friday and could be a valuable pickup for teams needing a WR.
Update: Adonai Mitchell was drafted in the second round at No. 52 overall by the Indianapolis Colts, who traded back and still got their WR.
Adonai Mitchell’s Draft Stock
Mitchell was expected to be worth mid-to-late Round 1 consideration heading into the draft.
Mitchell spent the first two years of his college career (2021 and 2022) at Georgia after being ranked as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He then transferred to Texas in 2023 for his junior season, aiming to build up his draft stock.
As part of the Bulldogs winning back-to-back national titles, Mitchell was solid in his two seasons at Georgia, catching a total of 38 passes for 560 yards and seven touchdowns across 21 games, including 15 starts, as injuries limited much of his sophomore year in 2022.
Mitchell then transferred to Texas, aiming to boost his draft stock, and he did just that with a standout junior season.
As a junior, he racked up 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year, helping lead the Longhorns to their first College Football Playoff appearance.
It’s no accident that Mitchell ends up wide open on slant routes so often. Defenders have to hedge against vertical routes due to Mitchell’s size and 4.35-second 40-yard dash speed, but recovering against his releases is extremely difficult.
Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Ian Cummings said Mitchell grades out as a top-25 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft on his board and a top-five WR prospect.
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report on Adonai Mitchell
Cummings described Mitchell as a long and lean receiver with streamlined athleticism and wiry play strength, as well as an explosive long-strider with the burst and speed to stack defenders out of stems.
“It’s ultimately up to what each team needs and how they intend to use their WR targets to decipher whether or not Mitchell is a fit,” Cummings wrote. “There’s also the question of inconsistent effort and how teams feel about his ability to maximize his output on a down-to-down basis.
“Mitchell isn’t as variable as most receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, nor is he as much of a threat after the catch. But he has an elite athletic profile, and as an X-receiver, does two things at a very high level. Mitchell separates, and he catches the football.”
Potential Day 2 Landing Spots for Mitchell
Buffalo Bills
The priority for the Buffalo Bills is finding a No. 1, and maybe even a No. 2, wideout. Their receiver room is barren after the Stefon Diggs trade and Gabe Davis’ departure in free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft has plenty of potential options.
Josh Allen’s top three WRs are currently Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins. It shouldn’t be surprising if the Bills target a pass catcher like Mitchell at 33.
Miami Dolphins
At WR, while Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are stellar, there’s a serious void at WR3 in the Miami Dolphins‘ offense. A bigger receiver with proven blocking utility would be useful.
Chris Grier told reporters Thursday that he tried hard late in the evening to trade up for a second first-round pick.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Complete Results, Recap, Order, and All 257 Picks
This tells us that even without a third- or fourth-round pick this year, the Dolphins are going to be aggressive in targeting players they really like, and one of those could be Mitchell.
Washington Commanders
Mitchell would give the Washington Commanders another great target for Jayden Daniels, who the team selected at No. 2 overall.
The team lost Curtis Samuel in free agency, and the receiver room has one stud in Terry McLaurin, one promising young player in Jahan Dotson, a rarely productive vertical threat on an expiring rookie deal in Dyami Brown, and two serviceable vets in Olamide Zaccheaus and Jamison Crowder.
Looking for everything you need surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft? Make sure to check out the latest draft results, overall team grades, and updated best remaining players available at every position!
