Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft starting on April 25th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
Adonai Mitchell (Wide Receiver), LSU, Junior
Adonai Mitchell stands in at 6'2" tall, weighing 205lbs, and has an all-around skill set that will be heavily coveted by the majority of the NFL.
USA Today Sports
Adonai Mitchell makes a leaping catch outside of his frame against the Washington Huskies to score a touchdown.
Steelers Overview
Mitchell has a very good blend of size, speed, and fluidity that allows him to create separation throughout all levels of the field. He is definitely more of a straight line runner than a quick twitch route runner that will shake defenders in and out of breaks, but that skill set also makes him a threat to create big plays down the field on any snap. Consistency in many facets will ultimately determine how high of a ceiling Mitchell reaches in his NFL career.
Pros:
- 4.34 speed
- Good height and length
- Fluid mover, not labored getting in and out of breaks
- Good red zone target
- High points the ball well when he gets position down the field
- Ability to bring in passes outside his frame with ease
- Can be a weapon after the catch
- Has shown great foot quickness
Cons:
- Consistency, whether it be his route running or blocking he has showed different levels of intensity from game to game
- Ability to beat press coverage needs to improve, with a long frame defenders have gotten in his chest off of the line
- Makes simple catches harder than they need to be
- Will give up body position down the field at times with physical defenders
There is no secret the Steelers will continue to add to their wide receiver room, and if they don't, they could be in a rough spot. Losing both Allen Robinson II and Diontae Johnson from last season leaves the room a bit empty, and the additions of Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins in free agency aren't winning any offseason awards as neither player has been more than a complementary piece to this point in their respective careers.
Jason Getz
Adonai Mitchell makes a touchdown catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2023 College Football Playoff Semi-Final game for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Route Running and Separation
Mitchell runs with great fluidity throughout his entire route, as his long strides don't effect his ability to stay controlled throughout. A lot of his separation comes down the field that takes advantage of his ability to subtly change direction without breaking stride, as opposed to having him throttle it down and change direction. In the right offense, his ability to separate can be maximized by making sure he gets up to speed to put stress on defenders. He did run a rather full route tree, but he will need to continue to work on routes that require quick cuts as he continues to grow as a receiver in the NFL.
Athleticism and RAC
No one around the league will question Mitchell's athletic ability. He is one of the better athletes in the class, and when you pair that with his size and length, he becomes a very deadly receiving option down the field. Once the ball is in his hands, he is hard to bring down as he runs with authority, which helps him break through most arm tackles. He isn't going to be someone who consistently gets thrown the ball at or behind the line of scrimmage due to him being best with a clear runway getting up to speed, but he can still take short throws all the way if given a little room.
Matthew Visinsky / Icon Sportswire
Adonai Mitchell cuts up field after making the catch during his junior season with the Texas Longhorns.
IQ and Hands
Since he played at two top level programs, Georgia and Texas, and has a lot of experience despite playing only three years, Mitchell's football IQ is higher than most underclassmen coming out in the draft early. Consistency in his game can improve as he gets older as well, as he will need to put more focus on putting in effort every down and every game. Also, Mitchell should also grow as a pass catcher by focusing more on simple catches that sometimes he makes look difficult. He has the ability to make crazy catches outside his frame, but the simple catches he needs to make sure he brings in every time as well.
NFL Comparison - George Pickens
Now, Mitchell is a little more polished than Pickens was coming out of college, and he has a little bit more top end speed. However, they both are very fluid route runners that often rely on their ability to make difficult contested catches over their opponents with their great length and athleticism.
Draft Projection - Late First / Early Second Round Pick
This is a very good wide receiver class, especially at the top. Even with that, Mitchell is very likely going to be selected high in this draft as he will continue to impress NFL teams throughout the pre-draft process.
Let us know below what you think about Mitchell as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the black and gold! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
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