WESTFIELD, Ind. – Adonai Mitchell is calmer.
Not on the football field, of course; the wide receiver is still cutting up and around defenders and lunging to snag the football every chance he gets. But off the field, the 22-year-old carries himself with a kind of self-awareness and poise he didn't have his rookie season.
Mitchell has never lacked confidence and never wavered from his belief that he belonged in the NFL. But his rookie season didn't live up to his own expectations, with just 23 receptions for 212 yards and no touchdowns. Mitchell knew that wasn't the kind of player he really was and understood he would have to work in the offseason to rise to the occasion. He put in the work physically and mentally, staying true to himself, and after a shaky start to training camp he's showing signs of becoming the kind of receiver the Colts knew he could be.
"Last year, it just felt like I was ripping and running from the start of camp to the end of the year," Mitchell said Saturday. "But I got the ability to get my first offseason under my belt, got a lot of time to, first of all, relax and work at the same time. And now, we in year two now, and I just feel more comfortable, whether it's in the meeting rooms, walkthroughs. I'm not focused on what the play is, what do I have to do? I'm focused on how I'm doing it, and why I'm doing what I'm doing. And that's just, I feel like that's kind of year two things."
"He's done a really nice job making plays," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. "This past week he's had a bunch of opportunities, like all these receivers. Sometimes you get a few more, you get a few less each week. AD's number has been called a few times, and the quarterback has looked his way a few extra times, and he's taken advantage of those things."
Whether it's creating separation deep downfield or juking out his defender in the end zone, Mitchell has found consistent success in a testament to his patience and continued faith in his abilities.
"I knew it would eventually come together," Mitchell said. "I know my hands work, I know my routes work. It was all just a matter of time."
It was that same mentality that carried Mitchell through the offseason; he didn't feel like he needed to change up much of his game, taking great pride in his route-running and ability to create separation. After all, those skills are what set him apart. So, it wasn't a matter of changing things – just perfecting them.
"I knew I belonged," Mitchell said. "I knew if somebody leaves me one-on-one on an island, somebody gonna regret it and it ain't gonna be me. So kind of just refining my game, knowing where to be."
Cooter, Reggie Wayne and Michael Pittman Jr. have all expressed their confidence in Mitchell, expecting the young receiver to make strides as the preseason continues. His natural talent has always been there, he just needs to be more consistent.
And as for what Mitchell himself expects for this season? Well, he hasn't really thought about that. He's just focused on the meetings he has later in the day, and how he can end the day knowing he did everything he could have done to the best of his ability.
"Just take it day by day, man," Mitchell said. "I'm not even looking at the season or the preseason...just taking everything day by day, step by step and just keep marching forward."
