AD Mitchell Picked As a 2026 Riser
NFL.com's Nick Shook recently chose new New York Jets and former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver AD Mitchell as one of 2026's potential risers:
Look, I'm still a believer in Mitchell. He needed to grow up; the Colts didn't have patience for it, and he got airdropped into one of the worst offensive situations in the NFL last season with the Jets. Things are better there now, though, starting with the arrival of veteran quarterback Geno Smith and the experience of a full offseason with a team that might actually incorporate him into its plans. I know the talent we saw on display at Texas wasn't an apparition. Some stability and veteran leadership (plus more field time shared with Garrett Wilson) should do him wonders.
I still think too many people frame the Colts trading Mitchell as being about getting rid of him, but really, he was just the final catalyst that sealed the Sauce Gardner trade. The Colts didn't really want to trade Mitchell (they knew he'd be a big factor this year), but they weren't going to get Sauce without including him in the deal.
