Adonai Mitchell has spent the summer doing more than just turning heads at Jets camp. He’s pushing his way into a real role, and one New York insider is already sold on what’s coming next.
The buzz around Mitchell has been building for nearly two weeks, with the former Texas Longhorns standout showing up consistently in practices while catching passes from both Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik. For Jets fans who were already high on him after the Sauce Gardner trade brought him to New York last fall, the early returns have only reinforced the belief that they were onto something.
The New York Daily News’ Antwan Staley, who has watched Mitchell closely all offseason, didn’t hold back on where he stands.
“He has a lot to bring to the table,” Staley told Jake Asman. “He’s big, he’s fast, he can stretch the defense, and he can also take some pressure off of Garrett Wilson.”
That kind of praise fits the way Mitchell has been viewed for a while. Even before the draft, he looked like the likely WR2, and the Jets’ lack of meaningful additions at receiver through free agency or trade only strengthened that case. Omar Cooper Jr., the first-round pick out of Indiana, has been projected as more of a No. 3 option at best, assuming health holds for the top names.
For now, the Jets have gotten exactly what they wanted on the injury front. No receiver has gone down entering this week’s joint practices with the Buccaneers, and Mitchell has kept building momentum as a dependable piece in Frank Reich’s offense. That matters even more with rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq sidelined.
Sadiq, the No. 16 pick, is out indefinitely while recovering from a hernia injury. Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert are healthy, but Sadiq had been expected to be a focal point in the passing game. As it stands, he’s the only projected Week 1 offensive starter or likely contributor dealing with a health issue.
Mitchell’s workload in Friday’s preseason opener is still uncertain. He may not need much more proving, but there’s still value in getting him and Klubnik on the field together in game action.
And for anyone still waiting to draft in fantasy football, Mitchell’s name should already be on the list. He looks like a receiver who has earned his place in the Jets’ offense, and the rest of the league may be catching up fast.
In Other News...
Aaron Glenn Addresses Frightening Jets Camp Medical Scare
Training camp has already had its share of heat, collisions and roster competition, but one frightening moment briefly shifted everything else out of focus. Cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was taken to the hospital by ambulance after collapsing on the sidelines, turning a routine practice day into a medical concern the Jets had to handle quickly and carefully.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said the teams medical staff responded immediately, and the priority now is Stiggers recovery. For a roster that is trying to build momentum in camp, incidents like this are a reminder that the biggest concern can suddenly have nothing to do with depth charts or schemes, only getting a player back on his feet. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Could Still Turn Two Roster Bubble Names Into Draft Value
Darren Mougey has already shown a willingness to squeeze value out of the edges of the roster, and that history is why the Jets are worth watching as cutdown day approaches. His track record includes dealing defensive tackles Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips, along with the trade of Derrick Nnadi, moves that suggest New York will keep listening if another team comes calling for a player it no longer views as essential.
Two names sitting near that bubble are Jamaal Pritchett and Andre Cisco, both of whom have become part of the preseason conversation for different reasons. Pritchett is trying to survive the numbers game after flashing last preseason, while Ciscos situation is shaped by a rocky 2025 season and the pectoral injury that complicated things before he re-signed, leaving the Jets with at least one more decision to make before the roster gets trimmed. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Avoided A Much Worse Outcome After Scary Practice Scene
A scary scene interrupted Thursdays joint practice with Tampa Bay when a Jets player had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and sent to a hospital after collapsing during the session. The episode immediately shifted the focus away from the days football work and toward the safety of a player who had to be stabilized before anyone could think about reps or game plans.
Aaron Glenn later offered the reassuring update that the player was conscious and receiving medical care, and the early read was that the situation was tied to dehydration rather than anything that happened on a football play. For a team looking to get through the week healthy, that was the kind of outcome the Jets could breathe a little easier about, even if the practice itself ended with an unsettling image. [Read more 🡒]