While multiple mock drafts projected Adonai Mitchell to be a first round pick, the Texas wide receiver is not letting his draft slide make him lose his confidence.
Why?
Because when speaking with the media, Mitchell only needed two words to describe the kind of player he is: "The best."
The Colts took Mitchell with the No. 52 pick, making him the 11th wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and the fourth taken in the second round.
While in the past, other wideouts have said that having other receivers taken ahead of them gave them extra motivation, Mitchell said that once they get drafted, everyone has a clean slate.
"It's just the way things go," Mitchell said. "At the end of the day, people were chosen before me and that's just the reality of it. My job now is to make them pay and to bring the best version of me every day to the Indianapolis Colts."
The Colts added size and speed to their offense in the second round of the NFL Draft, selecting Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell with the No. 52 overall pick on Friday night.
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich breaks up a pass intended for Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell during the first half of the Duke's Mayo Classic NCAA college football game at Bank of America Stadium Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) reaches for a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) grabs a tough pass for a touchdown against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a touchdown catch over Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Mitchell was selected as the Big 12 newcomer of the year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rice in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell runs a route during the first half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) gestures to the crowd after a touchdown against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, left, makes a catch in front of TCU cornerback Avery Helm during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) celebrates a touchdown against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) runs past Kansas linebacker Craig Young (15) after a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a touchdown catch against Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson (25) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell celebrates after scoring against Michigan during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell participates in a flexibility drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell stretches during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rice in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) runs a route during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a touchdown catch against Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke (10) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell catches a touchdown pass as Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray looks on during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell catches a touchdown pass as Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray looks on during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) carries the ball against Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) is tackled by defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) after a catch in the first half of Georgia's spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) caries the ball as he tries to elude Kentucky defensive back Quandre Mosely (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
CORRECTS ID TO ADONAI MITCHELL (5), NOT MATT LANDERS - Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a catch as defensive back Lewis Cine (16) closes in during the first half in Georgia's spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia defensive back Ameer Speed (9) breaks up a pass intended for Adonai Mitchell (5) during second half of Georgia's spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
CORRECTS ID TO ADONAI MITCHELL (5), NOT MATT LANDERS - Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a catch as defensive back Jalen Kimber (6) defends in the first half during Georgia's spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) breaks free from the arms of South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith (9) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mitchell played his college ball at the University of Georgia (2021-2022) and the University of Texas (2023).
Injuries limited Mitchell's playing time at Georgia, but he still managed to catch 38 passes for 560 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in two seasons.
Mitchell's breakout came in his junior year with the Longhorns, when he caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.
Citing his health as the driving force for his success, he said he hopes it will also help him develop faster in his first NFL offseason.
"I feel like as a player, your best ability is availability," Mitchell said. "So, the more available I can be, everything else will take care of itself. I ain't no stranger to putting in work. So, I'll just be here for it."
The Colts hope that will remain the case as they look to turn the corner in 2024 season, especially with the return of franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson.
He was selected by the team with the No. 4 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, but had his rookie season cut short after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in October.
Having seen Richardson play at Florida, Mitchell said he knows that the young quarterback is capable of doing big things.
"He's just [a] freak athlete, extremely talented, very a high ceiling and I'm just blessed to even be able to share that offense with him," Mitchell said. "I'm excited to learn with him. I'm excited to grow with him."
Another member of the organization Mitchell said he looks forward to working with is wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne.
A cornerstone of the franchise, Mitchell said he looks forward to learning from one of the best receivers to wear the uniform.
"Just being able to be in the presence with a legend," Mitchell said. "I'll just be able to come in and soak information up from him like a sponge. Just knowing that I don't know everything and he knows a lot that I don't know."
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