The star Safety of the 2025 NFL Draft had high praise for the Colts 2nd year Wide Receiver. Could the 2024 2nd Round pick be in for a breakout next year?
Malaki Starks has faced a lot of talented Wide Receivers in his collegiate career.
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Malik Nabers
- Ladd McConkey
- Matthew Golden
- Ryan Williams
- Ricky Pearsall
- Luther Burden III
Starks himself mentioned the first 4 as some of the best Wideouts he faced in his career, along with one other name Colts fans should be familiar with: 2024 Colts rookie Adonai Mitchell.
AD Mitchell at Georgia was special. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/6vphSYXdk0
— Dawg Muse (@UGAFanatic0) February 17, 2025
Mitchell had a tumultuous rookie season, landing 4th on the depth chart for most of the season but had some opportunities as the WR3 due to injuries at various times to each of the top 3 Wide Receivers on the team.
- 51 Targets
- 23 Receptions
- 312 Receiving Yards
- 13.6 Yards per Reception
- 0 TDs
Mitchell in particular struggled at the catch point as a rookie, recording 4 drops (14.8%) and not bringing in any of his 5 contested catch attempts. This was in stark contrast to his 2022-2023 seasons in college where he recorded only 1 drop in 103 targets and had a career 44.3% contested catch rate.
AD’s catch issues last year stemmed from inconsistent effort at the catch point to extend for the ball, lack of chemistry with the Colts QBs, and a unique route running style and tempo that generates highly consistent separation, but not always at the spots or depths that a play is designed for.
Patriots traded picks 34 and 137 to the Chargers for 37 and 110.
Chargers took Ladd McConkey, Patriots Ja’Lynn Polk with those round two swaps. pic.twitter.com/DMQsHcroeF
— Football Insights (@fball_insights) February 14, 2025
With his top notch separation skills and insane athleticism, it makes sense that he would be a tough matchup for anyone. The 6’2 205lb former Longhorn and Bulldog (Georgia), had the 5th best Relative Athletic Score in NFL Combine Testing history, with 4.34 speed (1.48 10 yard split) and 39.5 inch vertical jump paired with a 136 inch broad jump, showcasing elite levels of speed, acceleration, and explosiveness.
Mitchell is still a matchup nightmare in the NFL with a 75th %ile separation rate and 96th %ile single coverage separation rate. But with further discipline in his route running consistency and communication and a improved willingness to extend for the ball and be aggressive at the catch point similar to his collegiate production, he could have a return to form and showcase why his talent was so enticing for the Colts in the 2nd Round.
At minimum, he has a big believer in Malaki Starks, who’s high praise as one of the more polished and highly touted Safety prospects in the NFL Draft should not be lightly dismissed. Known for his high football IQ, versatility, coverage instincts, and exceptional athleticism, Starks’ pedigree makes his praise of Mitchell all the more noteworthy. The potential is there, it is up to Adonai to maximize his opportunities.