At the trade deadline, the Jets dealt star cornerback Sauce Gardner for two first-round picks.
But Gang Green might also have gotten a budding star in Adonai Mitchell.
Nick Folk and the Jets special teams catapulted them to a 27-24 victory over the Falcons on Sunday. But it was Mitchell’s speed and playmaking ability that helped get the Jets offense going in the second half. He finished with a career-high eight catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Mitchell’s highlight of the game was a 52-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor, which tied the game in the third quarter. Taylor continued to look Mitchell’s way throughout the afternoon after the Falcons were putting several defenders close to the line of scrimmage, trying to stop Breece Hall and the rushing attack.
“He’s here for a reason,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said about Mitchell. “People think he’s a throw-in, but he was never a throw-in. He was a guy we wanted.
“We watched him coming out of college. For him to be part of the trade and be a part of what we’re building — he’s a true X [receiver]. He has good speed, and he can win one-on-ones. I just look forward to seeing him progress as the season goes and him coming back next year and being a huge part of what we’re doing.”
With Garrett Wilson on injured reserve due to a knee injury, these final games of this season will be an evaluation period for not just Mitchell but everyone on the Jets roster, including their other receivers. Mitchell always had the potential to be a leading receiver in the NFL. It just hasn’t always had that on display during his two seasons in the league.
Reportedly, Jets general manager Darren Mougey specifically wanted Mitchell to be included in the Gardner trade. The Colts’ loss has undoubtedly been the Jets’ gain.
Indianapolis selected Mitchell, 23, in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas. Getting open has never been a problem for Mitchell, whether in college or the NFL, with his track-like speed. Mitchell’s 4.34-second 40-yard dash was the third fastest among receivers that year, and his 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump was the best among the receiver group.
Mitchell registered 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season with the Longhorns in 2023. The Jets have long needed a receiver who can stretch defenses to the second and third level, and that’s precisely what Mitchell can do.
However, Mitchell has had issues holding onto the football. Even routine catches would be a problem for Mitchell after he had three drops in 70 targets during his limited snaps in Indianapolis this season before the trade.
Mitchell is most remembered for his time with the Colts for ruining a 75-yard touchdown by fumbling the ball just before reaching the end zone in a Week 4 game against the Rams. Mitchell tried to recover the ball before bouncing out of the end zone but was unsuccessful and the Rams were awarded a touchback and the Colts lost possession and ultimately the game.
Mitchell’s playing time decreased after the Rams game, and he said a “crowded” receiver room contributed to him being shipped to the Jets.
“When I was informed, I was watching film, preparing for Atlanta,” Mitchell said about when he found out he was being traded to the Jets. “I get called in and get told and I was just surprised.
“But after the surprise feeling went away, I was just excited for a new chapter, excited for a new beginning and just to put everything in the past. I guess life goes full circle, you know, to get my first one [touchdown] against Atlanta. I’m happy to be a jet.”
With Wilson locked up long-term after he signed a four-year, $130 million extension during the offseason, Mitchell, along with John Metchie III, who was also acquired from Philadelphia before the trade deadline in the Michael Carter II trade.
The Jets are almost certainly going to have a new starting quarterback next year after Glenn benched Justin Fields for Taylor. Wilson, Mitchell, and Metchie are a solid group of receivers to take into 2026. The Jets will also have the Colts’ first-round draft pick, so they could select another receiver to pair with the trio, who can help a young quarterback blossom.
Mitchell is already making quite an impression on his teammates. He has been working with Taylor in attempts to get acclimated to the Jets offense. It seems that extra work has undoubtedly paid off, as his role with the Jets continues to grow along with his confidence.
“It just all falls back on preparation,” Mitchell said. “Really just staying consistent in the preparation, the extra work that we put in. I feel like that will keep everything going.
“I feel like that’ll help me seize the oppotunities when they come in if I’m fortunate enough to get more opportunities.”
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