The New York Jets faced a pressing challenge when star wide receiver Garrett Wilson was placed on injured reserve. They needed someone to step up in the passing game. Unfortunately, their new pass catcher, Adonai Mitchell, struggled in his debut against the New England Patriots.
Mitchell was targeted six times during the game, but only managed one reception for 10 yards. “He dropped two passes, including a deep ball on [Christian] Gonzalez that would’ve gone for at least 40 yards,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported on Sunday, November 16. It was a disappointing performance for the 23-year-old wide receiver, who was acquired in the blockbuster trade for Sauce Gardner.
Despite the rough start, there were clear flashes of why the Jets included Mitchell in such a significant deal. According to Pro Football Focus, “Mitchell ranked 1st in the NFL in Average Separation Score heading into Week 10 of the 2024 season.” He had a score of 0.667 after Week 1 (with a minimum of 15 routes) and 0.360 as of early October. The Average Separation Score measures a receiver’s ability to create space from defenders across all routes run—not just targeted plays. Mitchell’s consistently high score highlights his elite ability to separate from defenders, a valuable skill on full display even in his Week 11 performance against New England.
### Mitchell Will Be One of the Top Players to Watch for the Rest of 2025
The Jets have seven regular-season games remaining in 2025, and Mitchell’s rocky start will not stop the coaching staff from giving him opportunities. Head coach Aaron Glenn commented after the game:
“Listen, he is big, fast, and is going to be a good player for us. I mean, he missed some balls today, I think we all saw that. Him being here for two weeks and having truly a week of going out there and practicing, we gotta get him back out there and do more. But I think he will tell you himself that he has to make some of those plays that were thrown to him. We gotta try and do a better job of getting him open also.”
Mitchell himself took full accountability for his performance, telling Cimini:
“If I could really pinpoint anything, I’d point the finger at myself and say, ‘I need to perform better.’”
### The Jets Have No Choice—and an Important Question to Answer
One key reason Mitchell will continue to be involved in the offense is simple: the Jets need pass-catching options. Injuries across the roster have depleted their receiving corps, leaving limited alternatives. Beyond necessity, Mitchell brings considerable upside. He is a former second-round pick and was regarded as a top-60 talent in the draft, boasting impressive skills and physical traits.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds on the Jets’ official roster, Mitchell also ran an eye-opening 4.34-second 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process. With Wilson sidelined, the Jets have a unique opportunity to evaluate Mitchell’s potential as a key offensive weapon by increasing his target share.
Looking ahead to the offseason, one of the Jets’ top needs remains clear: finding a legitimate wide receiver to complement Wilson. Perhaps the team can find an answer internally during the final seven games of this season instead of having to acquire a new playmaker from outside the organization. Mitchell’s development over these games will be an important storyline for fans and the franchise alike.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/new-york-jets/adonai-mitchell-patriots-lackluster-debut/
