Paul Bretl
June 9, 2024 9:02 am ET
ESPNput together its ranking of all 32 wide receiver units ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Where did the Colts end up on this list?
With Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, the Colts entered the 2024 offseason with a very well established wide receiver room. Regardless of the situation at quarterback, Pittman has produced throughout his career, which includes eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in two of the last three seasons. Downs, meanwhile, would record 771 yards and two scores during his rookie season playing primarily from the slot.
However, from the very beginning of the offseason, it was known that adding more playmaking around Anthony Richardson was very high on the to-do list. The Colts finished last season ranked 24th in explosive pass plays.
Now, of course, having Richardson back under center will help with that, but with Downs averaging 11.3 yards per catch in 2023 and Pittman 10.6 yards per catch over his career, more juice was also needed.
Enter Adonai Mitchell who comes to the NFL with plenty of big game experience, having played in the College Football Playoffs all three of his collegiate seasons, along with adding a different element to the offense with his 4.34 speed.
Mitchell can immediately add to the Colts’ downfield passing game–an important aspect for Shane Steichen’s offense. Not only will he create big plays for himself, but his presence can open up opportunities for Pittman and Downs over the middle and underneath.
However, Mitchell is far more than just a deep threat. He is a fairly refined route-runner, allowing him to impact all levels of the field. Mitchell has true No. 1 wide receiver potential. Mitchell has already flashed his playmaking ability regularly during OTAs and minicamp.
“The explosiveness that he comes off the ball and wins one-on-ones,”said Steichenduring OTAs. “I mean he’s been making a ton of plays out here the last couple of days. He’s going to bring an element to our offense that we’re really excited about.”
In addition to Pittman, Downs, and Mitchell, the Colts also have Alec Pierce, who is entering his third NFL season. With the addition of Mitchell, Pierce’s playing time is in danger of getting reduced, but it’s his goal to earn more opportunities to showcase his versatility this season.
In addition to Mitchell, the Colts drafted Anthony Gould, a 2022 All-American as a return man. Still working his way back from an ACL injury is Ashton Dulin, who has been a core special teams contributor. Also on the roster at receiver is Tyrie Cleveland, Ethan Fernea, DJ Montgomery, Dereky Slywka, Xavier White, and Juwann Winfree.
Now, on to ESPN’s rankings–here is where the Colts’ wide receivers rank among the rest of the NFL:
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32. New England Patriots
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn
31. Los Angeles Chargers
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Ladd McConkey, Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, DJ Chark, Derius Davis
30. Buffalo Bills
Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jun 12, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the field during minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins
28. New Orleans Saints
Nov 17, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmet during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, Cedrick Wilson, A.T. Perry
27. Denver Broncos
Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin
26. Arizona Cardinals
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmet on the bench during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Jones, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal
25. Baltimore Ravens
Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Baltimore Ravens helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty
24. Atlanta Falcons
Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmets on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore, KhaDarel Hodge, Ray-Ray McCloud
23. New York Giants
Nov 24, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the New York Giants helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson
22. Washington Commanders
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders helmet during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Jamison Crowder, Dyami Brown
21. Green Bay Packers
Oct 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton
20. Detroit Lions
Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green
19. Cleveland Browns
Dec 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Michael Gallup, Tre Tucker, Jalen Guyton
17. Indianapolis Colts
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Anthony Gould
16. Carolina Panthers
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Gabriel Davis, Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington
14. Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Feb 4, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan, Rakim Jarrett
12. New York Jets
Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee
11. Dallas Cowboys
Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports
CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Kavontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
10. Los Angeles Rams
Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Los Angeles Rams helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington
9. Minnesota Vikings
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Nailor
8. Tennessee Titans
Oct 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A Tennessee Titans helmet sits in the end zone before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson
6. Chicago Bears
Nov 10, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr
5. Miami Dolphins
Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Malik Washington, Braxton Berrios
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Oct 29, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of a Bengals helmet on the sidelines in the game of the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin
3. Seattle Seahawks
Sep 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, Laviska Shenault Jr
2. San Francisco 49ers
Dec 9, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowin
1. Houston Texans
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Houston Texans helmet during the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown, John Metchie III
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