Dynasty Rookie Spotlight: Malcolm Mitchell, WR Georgia
Malcolm Mitchell, WR Georgia
Height: 5’11 3/8″
Weight: 194 lbs
Hands: 10 3/8″
Wingspan: 78 3/8″
40 yard dash: 4.52 (unofficial)
NFL Comparison: Jeremy Maclin
Scouting Notes: Mitchell spent time at WR, CB, and KR during his time in Georgia due to his superb athleticism and ballhawk nature. This lack of positional focus left him a little simplistic in his route running, but his increased understanding of how defenders approach him should prove to be priceless on the next level.
Mitchell is a smoothie on the field, gliding through coverage and catching the ball in stride, yet he’s also a physical receiver who can break tackles and get yards after contact. He’s got some dog in him too, which is evident from the jawing and histrionics he emotes at times. He reminds me of a younger/older Dez Bryant in that way. Mitchell’s elegant yet powerful play reminds me more of a Justin Maclin type, though. There are questions about Mitchell’s health – he’s had a number of injuries including a torn meniscus and ACL early in his career – but he’s maintained explosiveness throughout.
It should be worth mentioning that he pulled out of the Senior Bowl game with a leg issue — perhaps he was just taking care for the upcoming combine.
Here’s a video we took at the Senior Bowl that shows off Mitchell’s strength in his hands; watch the first rep. In all, Mitchell was among our top WR prospects at the 2016 Senior Bowl week of practices and is officially a member of the fifth-annual All-Senior Bowl Roster.
Fantasy Outlook: Mitchell’s route running will come along. It’s his injury history that will cause the biggest pause for NFL teams. Mitchell is well aware of this fact though, and the good head on his shoulders, along with his numerous intangibles, will help alleviate worry. His hands are solid and noticeably huge – they’re even bigger than Odell Beckham’s – and he has the ability to make those circus catches as well. Mitchell’s injury history has kept him out of the spotlight for much of his college career, and that might be a good thing. His best football is yet to come if he can stay healthy.
From the UGA Athletic Department:
Career Highs: 6 tackles at Missouri in 2012
*9 receptions at Kentucky in 2012
*126 receiving yards at Tennessee in 2011
*Long reception of 71 yards at Tennessee in 2011
*1 receiving TD (11x), last vs. No. 16 Georgia Tech in 2014
*Long TD reception of 51 yards vs. No. 5 Boise State in 2011
*1 carry (7x), last at Kentucky in 2012
*20 rushing yards at No. 21 Georgia Tech in 2011
*Long rush of 20 yards at No. 21 Georgia Tech in 2011
*3 punt returns vs. Vanderbilt in 2012
*3 kickoff returns at Kentucky in 2012
*Long kickoff return of 48 yards at No. 6 South Carolina in 2012
