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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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When the Indianapolis Colts drafted Adonai Mitchell in the second round (No. 52 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, some around the league thought they may have found their next WR1.
Mitchell hauled in 11 touchdowns and 845 yards on 55 catches in his final year at Texas before getting drafted, and came in as one of the top-rated receivers in his class.
Standing just over 6-foot-2, he ran a blazing 4.34-second 40-yard dash and posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine, with some scouts drawing comparisons to Cowboys star receiver George Pickens.
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But after a disappointing rookie season with the Colts, catching passes from Anthony Richardson Sr. and Joe Flacco, Mitchell got traded just eight games into the 2025 season. The New York Jets wanted him so badly, they specifically pushed to include him, along with two first-round picks, in the blockbuster trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner back to Indianapolis.
The change of scenery helped. After managing just 32 catches for 464 yards and zero touchdowns across 25 games as a Colt, Mitchell produced 301 yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches in just eight games with the Jets.
Even with Garrett Wilson as New York's clear WR1, 2026 is gearing up to be a big year for Mitchell.
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Quarterback play should be much better for the Jets this season. After cycling through Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook last year, veteran Geno Smith returns to New York as the starter. A two-time Pro Bowler, Smith has revitalized his career and shown an ability to push the ball downfield, throwing for a career-high 4,320 yards just two years ago with the Seahawks.
Early reports were promising too. ESPN's Rich Cimini named Mitchell one of the biggest surprises of the Jets' offseason, noting how quickly he grasped new offensive coordinator Frank Reich's system and the strong chemistry he's developed with Smith.
The Jets also selected Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, so there's more competition for targets now. But Mitchell looks like the exact type of deep threat that would perfectly complement Wilson, and he'll have a quarterback capable of actually stretching the field this time around.
Jets training camp gets underway on Tuesday, July 28, at the Atlantic Health Training Facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. Fans will flood in to see how the new rookies adjust, but Mitchell may be the one who makes his presence felt immediately.
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