Best Scheme Fit: Z In the
right environment, he will be a Day 1 starter as a field-stretcher
in a vertical passing game. Possesses the athleticism to be an
X receiver (split end) someday if he can find a way to add enough
strength to be at least average after the catch.
Best Team Fit(s): Steelers, Bills, Chargers,
Chiefs, Giants, Patriots, Panthers
Non-bolded times - Good examples of attribute Bolded times - Average/poor examples of attribute
* - How well does his skill set carry over
to the fantasy game? For receivers, a player needs to be a realistic
threat for 70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards at some point
early in their career to be a candidate for a perfect grade. Positional
scarcity at the pro level is also a part of the equation.
Positives
Incredible athlete with some of the best triangle numbers
(40 time, broad jump, vertical jump) for a receiver in Combine
history.
Displays rare body control for a bigger receiver.
Able to release quickly off the line most of the time and
can restart in a hurry.
Possesses the ability to cut at a sharp angle at the top
of his route - a trait found more often in smaller receivers.
Charged with one drop on 103 catchable targets over the final
two seasons of his college career (recorded six drops on 52
catchable targets as a freshman in 2021).
Seemingly came up the biggest in big spots; gave Alabama's
highly touted cornerback duo of Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid
McKinstry some problems early last season. He also secured the
go-ahead touchdown as a freshman in Georgia's national championship
win over Alabama in 2021.
Negatives
Possesses a linear build and may not be able to add much
muscle without sacrificing his overall athleticism.
Generally went down on first contact with the few run-after-catch
chances he had (amassed a mere 275 yards after the catch on
93 receptions across two-plus seasons).
Not the most efficient or purposeful route-runner, taking
extra steps on some occasions and failing to sell his route
on others.
Shows good effort for the most part, but he either lost sight
of the ball or throttled down on a handful of deep balls when
he was the intended target.
Small hands and a consistent lack of a "my ball"
mentality; surprisingly given 11 contested-catch opportunities
in 2023 versus 21 for teammate Xavier Worthy.
Very much a hit-or-miss producer in 2023; accumulating 24
of his 55 catches (and 399 of his 845 receiving yards) in three
games.
Bottom Line
The range of career outcomes for almost any non-blue chip prospect
is usually fairly wide. That may go double for Mitchell, who will
be considered an athletic freak by some and a potential first-round
receiver who was unable to be the alpha in any of his three college
seasons at two schools by others. Even as his playing time opened
up with a transfer from Georgia to Texas in 2023, he still played
second fiddle to Worthy despite leading the Big 12 with 11 receiving
touchdowns. At his best, he was able to frustrate Arnold and McKinstry,
drawing two penalties and scoring one of his two touchdowns versus
the Crimson Tide against that duo. At his worst, he was a sometimes
passive X receiver who settled for three or fewer catches in 10
of 14 contests and did not get overly involved until the Longhorns
got inside the red zone.
How much should evaluators punish Mitchell for the talent he
was surrounded by at Georgia and Texas? It is a legitimate question
and may be the primary reason why he was never able to establish
himself as the primary option in the passing game at either program.
Mitchell may have been able to carve out a bigger role for himself
if had ever been able to do more after the catch though. While
a deep-ball role (16.0 aDOT in 2023) will definitely play a role
in a receiver's ability to pick up YAC, the truth of the matter
is Mitchell seems content on going down on first contact regularly.
Recent reports surfaced that scouts have concerns regarding Mitchell's
lack of discipline (?) regarding his management of Type 1 diabetes.
Those reports were quickly discredited by his former Longhorn
teammates, but blood sugar issues would help explain the inconsistency
from game to game. Whatever the reason, teams are going to have
to ask themselves why his athleticism and ability to step up when
it mattered the most was not an every-game occurrence for him.
The Pickens comp represents an absolute best-case scenario in
my opinion, which makes it likely Mitchell's ceiling is probably
as a field-stretching Z (flanker) for the near future.
Doug Orth has written for FFToday since 2006 and been featured
in USA TODAY's Fantasy Football Preview magazine since 2010. He
is also a high-stakes player who often appears as a guest analyst
on a number of national sports radio shows, such as Sirius XM’s
“Fantasy Drive." Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association.
