With Josh Downs sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Colts have a big void to fill at the slot receiver position.
During Friday’s practice, it was rookie receiver AD Mitchell who was seeing some snaps lined up inside, with Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce on the boundary.
AD Mitchell starting with the first unit in the slot since Josh Downs is out. #Colts
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 9, 2024
George Bremer notes that Mitchell has made three receptions from the slot, while Nate Atkins adds that he looks “decently comfortable.”
Throughout training camp, Mitchell has been rotating reps with the starting offense with Pierce as the X receiver. With the majority of the Colts’ snaps in 2023 coming with three or fewer receivers on the field, Mitchell and Pierce are competing for valuable playing time.
However, for the time being, moving Mitchell to the slot allows the Colts to put their current best three receivers on the football field.
Mitchell would spend the bulk of his playing time in college lined up on the boundary. In fact, over his three collegiate seasons, only 114 of Mitchell’s snaps–or 13 percent–came lined up in the slot, according to PFF.
But at 6-4 – 196 pounds, Mitchell’s size can present a matchup problem for nickel defenders, not to mention that his ability as a route runner can help him create separation in what is a more confined part of the field.
In addition to using Mitchell in this role, the Colts could also add more to the plate of fellow rookie Anthony Gould, who is a more prototypical slot receiver. Perhaps the more likely option is that we see an increase in 12 personnel–or two tight end sets–from the Colts as well.
It remains to be seen if Mitchell in the slot is the answer for the Colts while they are without Downs. As already mentioned, going this route allows Shane Steichen to get his top three receivers on the field in Downs’ absence, and it provides valuable experience for Mitchell, potentially adding a wrinkle to the offense.
