Colts’ Chris Ballard sets an example on Adonai Mitchell’s moral worries

admin | May 1, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Colts general manager Chris Ballard has complete faith in Adonai Mitchell.

Historically, NFL teams have not shied away from developing players with minor character issues. By the same token, the Indianapolis Colts recently made news for selecting Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell, who has been dubbed “un-coachable” by unknown sources.

Ballard spoke further about the 6-foot-4, 196-pound target on Tuesday, via The Pat McAfee Show.

“We do our own work and I’m not going to let the outside noise dictate what we do and who we take and who we draft,” Ballard said. “I have a lot of faith in our scouts and the work they’ve done, our coaches in the work they’ve done. Look, not everybody when you’re 20, 21, 22, years old is perfect. I mean we’ve all done some things in our lives, and it’s you know the young men that come in this league they got a lot of pressure already and you know it’s our job to help them grow up.”

Evaluators had reprimanded Mitchell for being grumpy as a result of his Type 1 diabetes. Ballard is more concerned in helping players improve as individuals than anonymously ripping them down.

“One of the things we take pride in with our athletes is that we will help them improve not only as players but also as men, husbands, and members of their communities. “So it’s more than just being the best player you can be,” Ballard explained.

How will Mitchell’s Colts career pan out? Will he grow into a good athlete and person, or will his perceived character flaws be too much to overcome?

Adonai Mitchell has all the tools to succeed with the Colts

Mitchell had a productive 2023 season, leading the Longhorns with eleven receiving touchdowns. The Second-Team All-Big 12 selection also has 55 receptions for 845 yards across 14 games.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com evaluated Mitchell as a first-round talent. However, he dropped to the back half of the second before Indianapolis drafted him 52nd overall, most likely due to the aforementioned character problems.

“Ascending prospect with size, speed, and ball skills to become a very good NFL receiver, but he’s still in the process of bridging those traits,” Zierlein said.”The difference between becoming a WR2 or WR1 could rest on his urgency and willingness to go to work on the unpolished areas of his craft.”

Zierlein also said that Mitchell, like many other young receivers, needs to improve his route running and run blocking. However, this may be improved on with time, so there’s no reason to dismiss his potential.

The Missouri City, Texas native’s weaknesses, both on and off the field, are not insurmountable. As Ballard stated, draft hopefuls are young adults under rigorous scrutiny. While some criticize them anonymously, others welcome them with open arms and invest in their growth as individuals and athletes. If Mitchell lives up to his draft status, he might make an impressive tandem with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.