Colts’ OC Jim Bob Cooter recently discussed the progress he’s seen from Year 2 WR AD Mitchell, who has had an “exciting start.”
By all accounts, Indianapolis Colts’ second-year wide receiver AD Mitchell has had a very strong showing throughout the team’s offseason programs.
“AD’s had an exciting start to the offseason,” said offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “He’s really been playing good football out there. Getting open, making catches.”
Even through the ups and downs that Mitchell experienced as a rookie, what also stood out was his ability to get open and create separation, particularly against man coverage. With Mitchell’s combination of speed and route-running abilities, he can be a very difficult matchup.
However, overshadowing that playmaking potential in Year 1 were the miscues. Dropped passes, wrong or mistimed routes, and not being on the same page with the quarterback were all too prevalent.
This resulted in Mitchell catching just 45% of his 51 targets and a lack of playing time and opportunities as well. There were some weeks where, by snap count, he was the fifth wideout on the Colts’ depth chart.
So the big thing for Mitchell as he enters Year 2 is finding that consistency.
“It’s a consistency thing,” Cooter added. “Like Shane’s talked about with our offense, with our team, with a lot of our guys. Attacking each day with consistency, going out there if you’re AD Mitchell and you have some really good ability to go get open and make great catches, well, that’s going to be the expectation, day in and day out.”
Year 2 is often when we see NFL players make the biggest developmental jump. For one, there is the comfort and confidence that comes with having an NFL season under their belt, but they also have a full offseason to work on their craft, rather than focusing on the pre-draft process.
Even in a crowded Colts’ receiver room that also includes Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, if Mitchell can take a step forward this season and find that consistency, more opportunities will come–in snaps, targets, and in the type of routes he’s asked to run–because his skill set, and how he can stress various levels of the field, can add another element to this Colts’ passing game.
“He’s done a really nice job,” Cooter added. “He’s had a great attitude attacking this spring. He’s had some opportunities in practice, and he’s made the most of those things, and those will keep coming.”
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