Is Adonai Mitchell Lions' WR of Future?

Could Mitchell be missing piece in Lions' receiving corps?

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a touchdown catch. / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

The Detroit Lions have a solid foundation in their passing attack.

With Jared Goff providing veteran stability at quarterback, the wide receiver group offers plenty of options. Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off an All-Pro season as the slot receiver, while Jameson Williams appears primed for a breakout campaign in his first full NFL season.

However, there is one clear need at the position for the Lions. While St. Brown and Williams both offer unique skill sets, the team lacks a true 'X' receiver.

An answer could lie in the NFL Draft, where the Lions hold the No. 29 overall selection in the first round. It's a deep wide receiver class, with several of the top prospects at the position fitting the Lions' specific need.

One possible option is Texas' Adonai Mitchell, who is expected to go anywhere from the late first round to the middle of the second when the Draft kicks off on April 25.

While Mitchell doesn't have a compact frame, he offers all the required abilities asked of a traditional 'X' receiver. As a result, he could be the missing piece for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's otherwise well-rounded attack.

Mitchell began his collegiate career at Georgia, where he was a part of back-to-back national championship teams. Among the statistics that stand out about the wideout is the fact that he caught at least one score in every College Football Playoff appearance he made over his career.

The pass-catcher displays smooth athleticism on tape, as he moves well down the field on vertical routes. This athleticism also shows itself in contested catch situations, as he has no trouble out-jumping defenders and making spectacular catches.

With a vertical jump just below 40" at the NFL Combine in February, Mitchell is clearly one of the best athletes in this year's crop of receivers. He added to that with a 4.34 40-yard dash.

Mitchell was a deep threat at Texas, hauling in 8-of-22 passes thrown 20 yards or more downfield last season. Against Alabama early in the season, he caught three passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came on passes over 20 yards downfield.

He'll have to fine-tune some of the mechanics within his route running, and also struggles at times with his catching technique. Mitchell, at points, doesn't utilize his hands to get in front of the ball but rather pins it to his body.

The wideout has plenty of tools to succeed at the NFL level, with his athleticism leading the way. He's also strong and has good feet, as he can be seen fighting to get both feet down near the sideline despite the college level only requiring one to complete a catch.

This specific area is a clear need for the Lions, especially after the loss of Josh Reynolds. Detroit displayed confidence in trade deadline acquisition Donovan Peoples-Jones by giving him a one-year deal, but he caught just five passes after joining the team in 2023.

As a result, adding a player like Mitchell would give the Lions the missing ingredient in their pursuit of a Super Bowl in 2024.