WR Adonai Mitchell, IND (1 Viewer)

[Jacob's Ladder]

Downs dealing with a toe injury as well and didn't practice today. Wonder if Mitchell is going to get those targets now or if Pierce will get more than usual.

If Pittman and Downs are both down, I expect Pierce's activity to increase significantly. Dulin's snap count (and possibly target share) would also probably increase. He played over 40% of the snaps before Downs came back in week 3. Mitchell just doesn't strike me as ready to to take the leap. Who knows though, I've been proven wrong before and the guy's athleticism really jumps off the screen if you watch him. Mitchell is probably worth a pre-emptive flyer for that reason alone, but I'm not expecting much and certainly not starting him.

 

[nittanylion]

With Pittman out and Downs hurting, would really appreciate this nascent Alpha to experience a growth-spurt.

I know there's more to Alec Pierce than meets the eye, and he certainly has some untapped potential to be mined.

Please, Ashton Dulin, don't go mucking up the works. TIA.

 

[ohio#1eaglesfan]

This could be the last week to pick him up for free. Let’s not forget how Richardson missed him deep twice in week one for 2 missed touchdowns

 

[BladeRunner]

This could be the last week to pick him up for free. Let’s not forget how Richardson missed him deep twice in week one for 2 missed touchdowns

So we should pick him up so Richardson can miss him in the end zone again?

 

[Smack Tripper]

The problem is Tennessee has the #1 defense against WR for fantasy. Not sure we'll get to see much this weekend.

They’ve played a bunch of bums though

 

[jm192]

This could be the last week to pick him up for free. Let’s not forget how Richardson missed him deep twice in week one for 2 missed touchdowns

So we should pick him up so Richardson can miss him in the end zone again?

laugh emoji

 

[Lansdowne]

This could be the last week to pick him up for free. Let’s not forget how Richardson missed him deep twice in week one for 2 missed touchdowns

So we should pick him up so Richardson can miss him in the end zone again?

That’s not what he’s saying. A better QB (Flacco) connects with Mitchell on those plays. Mitchell’s numbers could be better than they are, but it’s going to depend on who the QB is. If Steichen puts Richardson back in there then that will put a damper on the passing game. Sticks with Flacco and Mitchell has intriguing upside. For now though Downs and Pierce are the safer bets.

 

[ohio#1eaglesfan]

This could be the last week to pick him up for free. Let’s not forget how Richardson missed him deep twice in week one for 2 missed touchdowns

So we should pick him up so Richardson can miss him in the end zone again?

That’s not what he’s saying. A better QB (Flacco) connects with Mitchell on those plays. Mitchell’s numbers could be better than they are, but it’s going to depend on who the QB is. If Steichen puts Richardson back in there then that will put a damper on the passing game. Sticks with Flacco and Mitchell has intriguing upside. For now though Downs and Pierce are the safer bets.

Exactly. Flacco is a huge factor in this. Downs is dealing with a toe too

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

 

[Lansdowne]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

 

[Lansdowne]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

Thanks. I did believe you, but I’ve followed him relatively closely and didn’t remember any of that. Maybe a see what you wanna see situation. I do believe Pierce has relatively small hands for his size, but in today’s league where stickum is legal in the form of gloves, it’s probably less important of a metric.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I have to start this guy this week. 16 team redraft Adams/Pittman/Pacheko etc.

I was hoping for Flacco but it looks like Richardson is going to play :(

 

[JohnnyU]

Downs dealing with a toe injury as well and didn't practice today. Wonder if Mitchell is going to get those targets now or if Pierce will get more than usual.

I like Pierce more right now.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

I have to start this guy this week. 16 team redraft Adams/Pittman/Pacheko etc.

I was hoping for Flacco but it looks like Richardson is going to play :(

Still not a terrible dart throw if you're in a deep league. He's capable of catching a long one for a TD, maybe a lot more. When I'm hurting across the board like you are I'd much rather take a chance on a low floor high ceiling guy than a guy I know is likely to get me 4-5 points, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[ohio#1eaglesfan]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

Just watched all his targets from last week. He did have one rep where he would’ve been hit hard and made a “business decision.” Didn’t look good on him but he usually gets a ton of separation and Flacco looked for him a lot. With Pittman and possibly Downs not playing I think he’ll get plenty of looks underneath as well as a couple deep shots. If Flacco plays I think he has a good game.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

Just watched all his targets from last week. He did have one rep where he would’ve been hit hard and made a “business decision.” Didn’t look good on him but he usually gets a ton of separation and Flacco looked for him a lot. With Pittman and possibly Downs not playing I think he’ll get plenty of looks underneath as well as a couple deep shots. If Flacco plays I think he has a good game.

I've applauded his separation going back to week 1. But the fact is, he isn't connecting with his QB. Could be he's not the right spot. Could be anything but the stats don't lie. He has a 30% catch rate on the season. 6 catches on 20 targets. The drop you mention wasn't the only ugly drop he's had this season. He's had 3 recorded drops this season. Even if Pittman and Downs don't play (I believe we'll see Downs), Mitchell doesn't suddenly become some complete WR they pepper with targets, especially against a tough defense. My guess is the Colts try to go run heavy/ball control and hope the Titans make mistakes on offense. Mitchell's been given opportunities. He might turn into something, but he has a long way to go. Don't forget about Dulin if Downs doesn't play.

 

[ohio#1eaglesfan]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

Just watched all his targets from last week. He did have one rep where he would’ve been hit hard and made a “business decision.” Didn’t look good on him but he usually gets a ton of separation and Flacco looked for him a lot. With Pittman and possibly Downs not playing I think he’ll get plenty of looks underneath as well as a couple deep shots. If Flacco plays I think he has a good game.

I've applauded his separation going back to week 1. But the fact is, he isn't connecting with his QB. Could be he's not the right spot. Could be anything but the stats don't lie. He has a 30% catch rate on the season. 6 catches on 20 targets. The drop you mention wasn't the only ugly drop he's had this season. He's had 3 recorded drops this season. Even if Pittman and Downs don't play (I believe we'll see Downs), Mitchell doesn't suddenly become some complete WR they pepper with targets, especially against a tough defense. My guess is the Colts try to go run heavy/ball control and hope the Titans make mistakes on offense. Mitchell's been given opportunities. He might turn into something, but he has a long way to go. Don't forget about Dulin if Downs doesn't play.

I agree. I think we can bank on him improving as the season goes on. I remember Justin Jefferson starting slow his rookie year. I think after week 4 Jefferson became a must start. Not saying he’s anything near JJ, just saying it’s normal for rookies to start slow. Changing QBs certainly plays a factor as well.

 

[massraider]

I was not on his train in the summer, but the buzz has been pretty consistent, and he's a special athlete. (I was out in this guy and Brian Thomas, looks like two whiffs).

Only from a dynasty lens, I think the arrow is pointing in the right direction. And after the "business decision" play which got some traction, I might now be higher on him than consensus. Maybe a lot higher.

I could see a lot of things breaking his way. For one, ARich isn't throwing for 300 yards, but that can change. Bad QB situations become good ones quickly.

For another, I think there's a good chance Michael Pittman is only decent. If I thought Pittman was a true #1, that would cap AD. But Pittman has been a compiler in IND. I drafted this guy as a rookie, and I cannot recall a special game from him.

 

[travdogg]

I was not on his train in the summer, but the buzz has been pretty consistent, and he's a special athlete. (I was out in this guy and Brian Thomas, looks like two whiffs).

Only from a dynasty lens, I think the arrow is pointing in the right direction. And after the "business decision" play which got some traction, I might now be higher on him than consensus. Maybe a lot higher.

I could see a lot of things breaking his way. For one, ARich isn't throwing for 300 yards, but that can change. Bad QB situations become good ones quickly.

For another, I think there's a good chance Michael Pittman is only decent. If I thought Pittman was a true #1, that would cap AD. But Pittman has been a compiler in IND. I drafted this guy as a rookie, and I cannot recall a special game from him.

Fully agree. Pittman has always stuck me as a solid #2 WR, if Mitchell is up to it, Pittman isn't a huge roadblock.

I was in on both Mitchell and Thomas (more out on Worthy and Coleman) so time will tell with all of these.

We'll learn some this week with Pittman and likely Downs out. I think Pierce is pretty 1 dimensional, and Indy has no TE of note.

 

[menobrown]

For another, I think there's a good chance Michael Pittman is only decent. If I thought Pittman was a true #1, that would cap AD.

Pittman isn't a huge roadblock.

I think two things can be true.

That Pittman was a bad extension, which I was saying this off-season. Even with high WR salaries paying $22M to a possession WR who rarely gets in the end zone was to way to much IMO. So I think it's safe to say I feel the same way as you both do about Pittman, but.....

They are paying him $22M and it's to be a high volume possession WR and he's no going anywhere until end of 2025 at the earliest. Thus he is in fact a tremendous roadblock.

Add in that Downs is a high volume target earner, and IMO the best WR on the team if he can hold up from a health angle, and it's a double roadblock, only made worse when AR15 is the QB.

I'm big on AD's upside long term, real big, thought he and Brian Thomas ,who I loved ,were kind of similar, and I'm putting him in some lineups this week so the here and now looks promising as well. But when all the WR's and AR15 is healthy I doubt he'll ever be in a lineup of mine except out of desperation. Not until 2026 anyway when they can get out of Pittmans deal.

My guess is he'll end up being the classic third year breakout WR.

If he goes 5/110/2 this week my opinion won't change.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

Just watched all his targets from last week. He did have one rep where he would’ve been hit hard and made a “business decision.” Didn’t look good on him but he usually gets a ton of separation and Flacco looked for him a lot. With Pittman and possibly Downs not playing I think he’ll get plenty of looks underneath as well as a couple deep shots. If Flacco plays I think he has a good game.

I've applauded his separation going back to week 1. But the fact is, he isn't connecting with his QB. Could be he's not the right spot. Could be anything but the stats don't lie. He has a 30% catch rate on the season. 6 catches on 20 targets. The drop you mention wasn't the only ugly drop he's had this season. He's had 3 recorded drops this season. Even if Pittman and Downs don't play (I believe we'll see Downs), Mitchell doesn't suddenly become some complete WR they pepper with targets, especially against a tough defense. My guess is the Colts try to go run heavy/ball control and hope the Titans make mistakes on offense. Mitchell's been given opportunities. He might turn into something, but he has a long way to go. Don't forget about Dulin if Downs doesn't play.

I agree. I think we can bank on him improving as the season goes on. I remember Justin Jefferson starting slow his rookie year. I think after week 4 Jefferson became a must start. Not saying he’s anything near JJ, just saying it’s normal for rookies to start slow. Changing QBs certainly plays a factor as well.

I'm not saying Mitchell can't become something, but Justin Jefferson is a horrible mention. They shouldn't be discussed in the same sentence, it's not fair to either. One is a freak athlete with a lot of question marks, the other was known for his route running and football IQ but had another gear no one really knew he possessed. Jefferson looked absolutely special in the preseason which paired with all the draft nerd buzz is why I drafted him everywhere. He was electric in the preseason which I usually wouldn't put much stock in, but he just had "it." Jefferson's first two games weren't great, Cousins threw for 95 yards in one of them, but in his third game in the NFL JJ went for 7 catches, 175 yards and a TD. The rest is history. Jefferson might be the best WR I've ever seen because everything he can do, and that's not really hyperbole at this point. It's mind-boggling that Ruggs, Jeudy and Raegor were all drafted before him. I hope none of those GMs still have jobs in the NFL.

 

[ohio#1eaglesfan]

I was not on his train in the summer, but the buzz has been pretty consistent, and he's a special athlete. (I was out in this guy and Brian Thomas, looks like two whiffs).

Only from a dynasty lens, I think the arrow is pointing in the right direction. And after the "business decision" play which got some traction, I might now be higher on him than consensus. Maybe a lot higher.

I could see a lot of things breaking his way. For one, ARich isn't throwing for 300 yards, but that can change. Bad QB situations become good ones quickly.

For another, I think there's a good chance Michael Pittman is only decent. If I thought Pittman was a true #1, that would cap AD. But Pittman has been a compiler in IND. I drafted this guy as a rookie, and I cannot recall a special game from him.

I’ve never thought Pittman was an elite talent. He is best after the catch and

Mitchell has also had a couple ugly drop. Let’s not pretend the low production is only about poor QB play

Nobody’s pretending anything but that’s a fair point, Mitchell has shown alligator arms recently. Wasn’t long ago that Pierce was being criticized for the same problem though.

I don't remember Pierce being criticized for drops, but I'll take your word for it.

Drops can be a mental hurdle or a technique issue. With Mitchel, it seems like it's a little bit of both.

Mental hurdles seem like they can be cleared a lot easier than technique issues that have been repped since pee wee football though. Clearing those means countless hours of hard work to change what you've been doing for a decade plus. I don't know if I trust Mitchell to put in that kind of work. I've said it before, but his profile screams Denzel Mims to me. Maybe that's fair, maybe it's not. I hope he proves me wrong because I acquired him for almost nothing. If he turns into anything at all, I don't think his value will ever be lower. If you believe, now's the time to pounce.

Pierce his rookie year https://x.com/NimblewNumbers/status/1569017939948347392

Pierce last year https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/1690418765962326016

Does look like a third year breakout is in the works though. I was wrong earlier about Pierce being WR4 on the team, he's probably WR1 right now with Pittman on the shelf.

As for Mitchell I agree it's down to mentality and technique. He's shying away from contact and not completing his routes. If he cleans up his game, and gets quality targets, he can be a force in fantasy football. Until then he's a wait-and-see rookie WR. Pierce is the Colts WR to own if you want fantasy production right now. Mitchell is who I like to be an alpha long term, but I'm also betting on him making the necessary improvements to get there.

Just watched all his targets from last week. He did have one rep where he would’ve been hit hard and made a “business decision.” Didn’t look good on him but he usually gets a ton of separation and Flacco looked for him a lot. With Pittman and possibly Downs not playing I think he’ll get plenty of looks underneath as well as a couple deep shots. If Flacco plays I think he has a good game.

I've applauded his separation going back to week 1. But the fact is, he isn't connecting with his QB. Could be he's not the right spot. Could be anything but the stats don't lie. He has a 30% catch rate on the season. 6 catches on 20 targets. The drop you mention wasn't the only ugly drop he's had this season. He's had 3 recorded drops this season. Even if Pittman and Downs don't play (I believe we'll see Downs), Mitchell doesn't suddenly become some complete WR they pepper with targets, especially against a tough defense. My guess is the Colts try to go run heavy/ball control and hope the Titans make mistakes on offense. Mitchell's been given opportunities. He might turn into something, but he has a long way to go. Don't forget about Dulin if Downs doesn't play.

I agree. I think we can bank on him improving as the season goes on. I remember Justin Jefferson starting slow his rookie year. I think after week 4 Jefferson became a must start. Not saying he’s anything near JJ, just saying it’s normal for rookies to start slow. Changing QBs certainly plays a factor as well.

I'm not saying Mitchell can't become something, but Justin Jefferson is a horrible mention. They shouldn't be discussed in the same sentence, it's not fair to either. One is a freak athlete with a lot of question marks, the other was known for his route running and football IQ but had another gear no one really knew he possessed. Jefferson looked absolutely special in the preseason which paired with all the draft nerd buzz is why I drafted him everywhere. He was electric in the preseason which I usually wouldn't put much stock in, but he just had "it." Jefferson's first two games weren't great, Cousins threw for 95 yards in one of them, but in his third game in the NFL JJ went for 7 catches, 175 yards and a TD. The rest is history. Jefferson might be the best WR I've ever seen because everything he can do, and that's not really hyperbole at this point. It's mind-boggling that Ruggs, Jeudy and Raegor were all drafted before him. I hope none of those GMs still have jobs in the NFL.

i agree, just mentioning how rookie wrs might take time to get going. My memory was wrong I thought it was week 4 where he blew up

 

[zamboni]

Agree about liking his talent but not the situation over the next few years. May have a decent short-term window here though to become a bigger factor going forward.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Imho the Colts WRs biggest problem is their inaccurate QB

 

[massraider]

i agree, just mentioning how rookie wrs might take time to get going.

Everyone forgets this every year.

 

[Faust]

Scott Barrett
Colts WR coach Reggie Wayne on Adonai Mitchell:

"He's probably got the most separation of anyone in this league."

“We got a steal in the draft. Just keep watching.”

x.com

x.com

 

[Lansdowne]

Downs returned to practice today and it sounds like there's a chance Richardson returns this week. For anyone that was planning on starting Mitchell this week, it may be time to reconsider those plans.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Downs returned to practice today and it sounds like there's a chance Richardson returns this week. For anyone that was planning on starting Mitchell this week, it may be time to reconsider those plans.

Pittman also practiced in full I believe. If true, reading the tea leaves, Mitchell may be making progress in practice as Wayne suggests. Whenever a player of Pittman's status and situation rushes back to the field through injury it always makes me wonder who's coming behind him.

ETA - I don't hate AR for a player like Mitchell. Guys like AR don't really throw on anticipation, they throw on what they see, and it's undeniable AM is getting separation. On top of that, Richardson doesn't seem bad throwing it deep.

 

[TampaMike19]

How the hell do any of us legislate usage for these Colts WR's? Downs short-medium targets, Pittman medium targets, Pierce deep targets? What exactly is AD Mitchell's role? He seems to be a mix of all three of the guys and that won't get you on the field when each of these guys are better than him at the things they are respectively doing.

Feels like Wicks all over again. I think AD Mitchell needs Downs or Pittman to miss a ton of games...it's like Jaylen Wright too.

 

[zamboni]

Scott Barrett
Colts WR coach Reggie Wayne on Adonai Mitchell:

"He's probably got the most separation of anyone in this league."

“We got a steal in the draft. Just keep watching.”

x.com

x.com

Looks like Reggie was trying to tell us something about AD. Quietly had a solid game on Sunday 6-71-0 on 6 targets and the light may be turning on for him. Granted, the WR stable is crowded, this past game was without Pittman, and the return of Richardson is out there, but hopefully AR's role will continue to grow in the second half after the team used some decent draft capital on him.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

He's looked good the entire season. Pittman should be the odd man out here, healthy or not. Pierce stretches the field like few can. He's also a tremendous red zone threat. Downs looks like a great slot WR in the making and AD is the best athlete on the team. If he puts in the work, he has the potential to be the alpha.

 

[zamboni]

He's looked good the entire season. Pittman should be the odd man out here, healthy or not. Pierce stretches the field like few can. He's also a tremendous red zone threat. Downs looks like a great slot WR in the making and AD is the best athlete on the team. If he puts in the work, he has the potential to be the alpha.

You would think, but money often talks and they overpaid him in the offseason.

 

[kyoun1e]

He's looked good the entire season. Pittman should be the odd man out here, healthy or not. Pierce stretches the field like few can. He's also a tremendous red zone threat. Downs looks like a great slot WR in the making and AD is the best athlete on the team. If he puts in the work, he has the potential to be the alpha.

You would think, but money often talks and they overpaid him in the offseason.

Pittman seems like he's dealing with a back injury that's going to plague him all season. I wonder if he's a shutdown candidate if Indy keeps losing.

Definitely going after Mitchell in waivers tonight.

 

[gbill2004]

Whos the better fantasy value rest of season, AD or Pierce?

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

He's looked good the entire season. Pittman should be the odd man out here, healthy or not. Pierce stretches the field like few can. He's also a tremendous red zone threat. Downs looks like a great slot WR in the making and AD is the best athlete on the team. If he puts in the work, he has the potential to be the alpha.

You would think, but money often talks and they overpaid him in the offseason.

Pittman seems like he's dealing with a back injury that's going to plague him all season. I wonder if he's a shutdown candidate if Indy keeps losing.

Definitely going after Mitchell in waivers tonight.

With the evolution of Pierce and Downs and the limitless potential of Mitchell, combined with all the losing, that Pittman contract is looking worse by the week. The good news is they're only really stuck with him through 2025. If they can trade him in 2025, that would be ideal, but if not he's a prime cut candidate in 2026.

 

[kyoun1e]

Picked up A. Mitchell in waivers thinking Flacco starting.

RIchardson now starting.

Back you go.

 

[Lansdowne]

The dream is dead (for 2024 at least). Downgrade all Colts pass catchers.

 

[King of the Jungle]

The dream is dead (for 2024 at least). Downgrade all Colts pass catchers.

He who giveth taketh away

 

[Cowboysfan8]

RIchardson now starting.

Uggghhhh

 

[Hoh]

Dynasty drop or hold? I’d say hold, but if you have a nice roster like I do and have to cut players to draft new ones, I’d cut and be ready to pounce if he shows anything. I doubt anyone grabs him immediately if you drop him.

 

[JohnnyU]

Have in one league and I wish I didn’t. I wasn’t impressed with him, especially his hands. He had stone hands.

 

[rockaction]

This guy is going to be good. He's a hold. I didn't watch enough, but drops are bound to happen and aren't sticky year in and year out, although I get why people think they are sticky. And that might not be the case any longer given the landscape of college football, unions, and how much these guys can practice. Used to be they got coached out of bad technique. Now, I'm not so sure.

But he gets open when they let him run routes. That's for certain. I'm almost thinking I'd like to acquire him on the cheap, but I don't think he's available in the particular league I'd want him for.

 

[menobrown]

Drafted him in two leagues, 2.6 and 2.10 of FFPC one start QB leagues. Happened to have the same guy in both leagues who is a big AD Mitchell fan and I traded him AD in both leagues.

One was straight up for Downs so I did not remove myself from the QB fiasco but at least got a guy playing and producing, and generally speaking a must start anytime Richardson is not starting. This trade was done in-season, late, around like week 11 or so.

The other trade was early in the year, AD and my likely late 2026 third round pick for a his 2025 and 2026 second. My only disappointment so far was I thought the 2025 would be an early second but it's pick 2.7. Still all good with the deal and glad to move on.

I kind of thought he was a poor mans Brian Thomas back when I was drafting him. The size, athleticism and movement are really top notch but I think he just lacks natural instincts. Still would not totally bury his long term outlook, but I would bury his his shorterm due to QB and WR pecking order.

 

[rockaction]

One was straight up for Downs

Downs is 18th in Matt Harmon's dynasty rankings (which is a big deal to me at WR) and AD is 57th but with "immense upside." But still, Downs is thievery. Find the fan and shop him, I guess. Too bad my leagues aren't quite so active.

 

[menobrown]

One was straight up for Downs

Downs is 18th in Matt Harmon's dynasty rankings (which is a big deal to me at WR) and AD is 57th but with "immense upside." But still, Downs is thievery. Find the fan and shop him, I guess. Too bad my leagues aren't quite so active.

Yeah agree but fwiw I did not even shop him, offers just came to me. That particular owner has always gone to his drum beat, sometimes works out outstanding and sometimes not, like a lot of us, but he likes to go all in on players and I'm in some other leagues with him as well and he got AD in all of them.

Just saw a post in the Downs thread that @Faust provided which gave me the good feels. Not to turn this into a Downs thread but I was all over him in redraft last year, was my second most drafted player, just barely second. I could not figure out why people were so low on him last year, or maybe better said as not high enough, was having a tremendous rookie season until some knee issues cropped up and he was going in double digit rounds, in the teens after his high ankle sprain. Ended up having him on almost half my teams but what made me happy about this trade is I thought when the season was over so was my Downs rooting interest.

Did not know Waldman was that high on him and that is nice feedback and just glad to still have rooting interest though I'll probably end up owning him good amount in redraft again because right now he's going as WR45 in early drafts.

AR/QB is of course a major obstacle to overcome for any Colt's pass catcher, that's the biggest negative with all of them and with AD it's that and being behind Pierce.

 

[rockaction]

Did not know Waldman was that high on him

Sure thing but wrong Matt. You probably know of Matt Harmon and just slipped, but Harmon is the guy that heads the Reception Perception website, a website which is noted for charting receivers from All-22 and calculating how open they get on their routes. Waldman is FBGs amateur scout (Harmon also once worked for FBG, I think, like almost everybody in the industry) who does Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

So different guys, but you probably knew that. Just clearing it up for anybody reading.

AR is not kryptonite to Downs, but to bring it full circle, he is to AD right now. So unless AR develops like nobody sees coming or IND gets a new quarterback, Mitchell is a bit of a no-go in fantasy. But I think Mitchell is good and with a proper quarterback would be excellent. But you're right about Pierce. I'm not sure how that situation gets rectified. Right now AD is number four on IND, which is not a good situation.

My own personal plan is to wait a few games into the season next year where he's likely been not quite so useful and to see if I can't get him really cheaply.

 

[menobrown]

Sure thing but wrong Matt. You probably know of Matt Harmon

Ah, very familiar, just read it wrong and yes that's much more meaningful Matt when its comes to assessing WR's.

AR is not kryptonite to Downs, but to bring it full circle, he is to AD right now.

I acutally view this oppositely.

Downs is the smaller target, smaller catch radius guy which is not ideal for AR. AD is the bigger target, down field threat which plays into Richardson's arm strength and accuracy issues better IMO. This is all just a theory with AD, did not play enough together to really know, not so much a theory with Downs.

Downs made a big play or two in some Richardson games but otherwise it was night and day to when Flacco was starting.

Downs 7 full games with AR: 41 targets, 23 receptions, 328 yards, 3 TD's. 10.54 PPR a game. 42.8% of his production came on 3 plays, almost 20% on one long play which was a busted coverage. He turned Downs from a consistent PPR cheat code type to a TD/big play dependent sort. In short with AR down I considered Downs a must start, with AR in the lineup I was trying hard to not use Downs and if I did mainly praying for a TD.

He had 6 full games without AR and one game where AR played 13 snaps, got injured late in their second drive and before he left AR had targeted and completed one pass of 11 yards to Downs. I'll remove that target catch and say this is Downs in 7 almost full games without AR(even though he's losing almost two full drives so I'm lowballing him a little)

64 targets, 49 receptions, 457 yards, 2 TD's. 15.24 fantasy points a game and doing it in a way you prefer to see which is consistently with only one those games being a sub 12 PPR fantasy game and not needing a TD or big play to reach those numbers.

This is why I'd have to say while I like Downs, Harmon is higher on him then I would be. Plus he's got dinged a lot. I'd probably put him somewhere in the WR 30'ish range.

AD's split with and without AR I just don't have enough data to move it from theory to backing up with stats. AD had one good fantasy game all year, was without AR, but also was the one game Pittman missed but that's encouraging for his long term outlook, as in he just needs a chance.

To be clear I think AR is good for nobody, just again in theory I think he should be less of a drain on AD then he is on Downs.

 

[JohnnyU]

This guy is going to be good. He's a hold. I didn't watch enough, but drops are bound to happen and aren't sticky year in and year out, although I get why people think they are sticky. And that might not be the case any longer given the landscape of college football, unions, and how much these guys can practice. Used to be they got coached out of bad technique. Now, I'm not so sure.

But he gets open when they let him run routes. That's for certain. I'm almost thinking I'd like to acquire him on the cheap, but I don't think he's available in the particular league I'd want him for.

By the time rookie drafts roll around I wouldn't be surprised if people are selling him for a 3rd round pick and take their loss.