Who Should I Start? Adonai Mitchell or Arian Smith

Wednesday, February 25, 8:49 AM

After being acquired by the New York Jets from the Indianapolis Colts at the 2025 trade deadline, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell saw the best opportunity for consistent playing time of his young career. The 23-year-old recorded 32 receptions for 464 yards and zero touchdowns across the first 25 games of his career with the Colts. Across eight games with the Jets after the trade, Mitchell hauled in 24 catches for 301 yards and two scores. Mitchell played at least 80% of New York's offensive snaps in six of his eight contests, and he averaged over seven targets per game. In 2026, the Jets will welcome back star wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. Wilson will be the team's clear number one pass-catcher, but the Jets appear to have plenty of opportunity for secondary pass-game options to emerge. As a former second-round pick who has flashed upside at different points in his first two NFL seasons, Mitchell could have the inside track on the team's WR2 job heading into 2026.