Who is Adonai Mitchell? Texas receiver is Indianapolis pick in NFL draft second round
In Thursday's first round of the 2024 NFL draft, many expected the Bengals to address a positional need on the offensive or defensive line. Others said they wouldn't be surprised to see Cincinnati take the best wide receiver available.
Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Amarius Sims was the Bengals' pick at No. 18. And Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. was their second-round pick, 49th overall.
One of the best receivers available, Texas' Adonai Mitchell, was selected three picks after Jenkins by the Indianapolis Colts with the 20th pick of the second round.
CBS Sports' Will Brinson had the Bengals taking Mitchell at No. 18: "Offensive line could be a priority, but with Tee Higgins set to leave after a tag year the Bengals could certainly end up going receiver here," Brinson wrote in his mock draft.
What to know about the 6-foot-4 Mitchell, whose nickname is "AD":
Mitchell won back-to-back national championships at Georgia before transferring to Texas.
Mitchell played in 15 games for the 2021 national champions, starting at receiver in 12. He had two catches for 50 yards in the College Football Playoff title game against Alabama, including the go-ahead, 40-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
In 2022, Mitchell played in 15 games for the Bulldogs. He had three catches for 43 yards with a touchdown in the CFP semifinal against Ohio State, and one catch for 22 yards with a TD in the championship game against TCU.
Mitchell's teammate those two seasons at UGA, Amarius Mims, is an offensive tackle also seen as a potential candidate for the Bengals' first-round pick. Mims' Instagram story indicated that he visited the Bengals earlier this month.
With the Longhorns, Mitchell was selected all-Big 12 second team by the conference's coaches and the Associated Press.
Mitchell appeared in 14 games for Texas, with 13 starts. He posted his biggest numbers of his three seasons in college, with 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 receiving TDs, leading the conference in that category.
Mitchell had two of his TD catches during the fourth quarter of a 34-24 upset of Alabama last September.
He was named the 2023 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press, and the Offensive Newcomer of the Year by Big 12 coaches.
Mitchell's teammate at Texas last season, defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, also has been identified as a potential pick for the Bengals at No. 18.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was on hand for Texas' Pro Day in March.
Mitchell was among several Longhorns participating in Pro Day, in front of Taylor and many other NFL personnel.
Zac Taylor doesn’t go to many Pro Days. The fact he’s at Texas today is noteworthy.
The Bengals clearly have a need at DT and they want to add speed to their offense. Texas has players that fit those needs.— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) March 20, 2024
Mitchell impressed, and Jordan Schultz tweeted that Mitchell likely cemented himself as a first-round pick.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen also attended the Pro Day.
Mitchell ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.
Mitchell's vertical of 39.5 inches and broad jump of 11 feet, 4 inches also impressed.
Ascending prospect with size, speed and ball skills to become a very good NFL receiver, but he’s still in the process of bridging those traits," Lance Zierlein wrote of Mitchell in his draft prospect overview for NFL.com. "The difference between becoming a WR2 or WR1 could rest on his urgency and willingness to go to work on the unpolished areas of his craft."
Mitchell starred at Tennessee's Cane Ridge High School.
As a senior, Mitchell led the Ravens with 49 receptions for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns, and was named 2019 Tennessean Region 5-6A Athlete of the Year. He was ranked No. 64 among wide receiver prospects, and the No. 10 prospect in Tennessee.
Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller, the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, also attended Cane Ridge HS.
Mitchell previously played for Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas, and caught 25 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns as a junior, in addition to 170 rushing yards with five TDs on the ground.
Missouri City is Mitchell's hometown. His twitter handle is @MoCityMitch.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Adonai Mitchell? Indianapolis drafts Texas WR in second round
