Does AD Mitchell have a problem with "gator arms"? He says no, but the tape tells a different story

The Colts wide receiver has consistently failed to make catches for fear of absorbing a big hit. You can't play this game with fear. This has got to change.

If AD Mitchell was merely playing poorly, dropping passes, failing to get open on his routes, that would be one thing. And no, he hasn’t been terribly good, catching six passes on 20 targets, although some of those misses were courtesy of Anthony Richardson’s wayward passes. But on at least three occasions and probably more, he has sprouted alligator arms or pulled up on routes, refusing to fully commit himself to catching the football whenever he’s in danger of taking a hit.

And the Colts know it. They see the game, watch the film on Mondays. They see who’s fully invested and who is not. And Mitchell’s play, his lack of toughness while “competing” for contested balls, his fear of taking a shot, has become an issue. An embarrassment, really. You can’t be soft in the NFL, and right now, Mitchell looks soft. And he’s getting a reputation.

Predictably, the Colts coaches won’t throw Mitchell under the bus – both Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter danced around the question this week and receivers coach Reggie Wayne diminished it as an issue Thursday – and I understand that. But if he’s not being held privately accountable by his coaches and teammates, if he doesn’t have someone in his face about the lack of courage, then there’s something terribly wrong at West 56^th Street. It’s not up to the media to hold people ultimately accountable; it’s up to coaches and teammates.

How often has Mitchell either short-armed or pulled up short while pursuing a pass in his vicinity? I counted two examples in the Jacksonville loss. I’ve noticed it a few other times earlier this season as well. What’s the total? No way of accurately quantifying it, but I can think of at least five times this season when Mitchell went out of his way to avoid contact on a pass attempt.

Again, I have no great issue with drops. They happen. He’s a rookie. He needs time to grow, to catch up to the speed of the game. Davante Adams couldn’t catch a ball his rookie year (2015), dropping 12 of 96 passes thrown in his direction, and he turned into one of the best receivers in the league. A couple have been bad throws. But a couple others, Mitchell clearly shied away from contact or the threat of contact. I think that’s clear to anybody who watches the games with eyes.