New England Patriots Draft Targeting Adonai Mitchell: Vertical Receiver?

If the New England Patriots select a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, should they consider Texas’ receiver Adonai Mitchell at No. 34?

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

FOXBORO — If the New England Patriots are intent on “weaponizing” their offense, they may be wise to seek pass-catching help in the early rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft. 

While the current media consensus places them in position to select their future franchise quarterback at No. 3 overall, the Pats are expected to use their next premium piece of draft capital (No. 34 overall in the second round) on either an offensive tackle or receiver. 

Should they indeed choose the latter, one prospect who could pay dividends for the Patriots is Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell. 

Mitchell, a former standout receiver for the 2021 and 2022 national champion Georgia Bulldogs, transferred to Texas for his junior season in 2023. He played a career-high 888 snaps and totaled 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns. For his efforts, he earned Second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

At his best, Mitchell projects an ‘X’ receiver, capable of starting in his first year as a pro. The 6-2, 205-pound prospect is adept at using his size and length to create mismatches. His impressive wingspan also provides him with a large catch radius. Mitchell's 4.34-second time in the 40-yard dash shows that he possesses the straight-line speed to be effective along the boundary. However, Mitchell will require more coaching, and perhaps a more-concentrated workout program to develop his ability to break quickly and gain yards-after-the-catch when changing direction. 

With New England, Mitchell would be a project with tremendous upside. Given their struggles in the passing game last season, the Patriots potential interest in a perimeter receiver should not be surprising. Injuries clearly took their toll on the Patriots receivers room in 2023, leading to their need for an upgrade. Veterans Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster both suffered season-ending injuries, with Bourne leading the team in 37 catches for 406 yards with four touchdowns at the time of his departure. 

Though ex-Patriot DeVante Parker occasionally demonstrated solid contested catch-ability, he struggled to remain consistent. Speedsters Jalen Reagor and Tyquan Thornton have shown flashes of their prowess, but will require greater experience to reach their full potential. New England’s lone bright spot at the position, rookie DeMario Douglas, used his speed and route-running prowess to help him lead the team with 561 receiving yards.

Accordingly, New England should be in the market for additional help at the position, primarily from a receiver who can consistently separate. Last month, director of scouting Eliot Wolf expressed his desire to “weaponize” their offense by securing the services of players for which opposing teams must game-plan, and perhaps double team. Though Mitchell is not expected to immediately settle into that role with any team, he has as much potential to become such a player as anyone currently on their roster. 

Should Mitchell, a projected late first-round/early second-round selection, be selected by the Patriots, he would join a receivers group which includes Bourne, Douglas, Smith-Schuster, Thornton, Reagor, Kayshon Boutte and K.J. Osborn on their depth chart.