Bombers sign Elks WR Dillon Mitchell

[gobombersgo]

Just need to google Mitchell 2000 yards.

Second-year Elks' receiver Dillon Mitchell sets goal of 2,000 yards in 2023
By 3Down Staff -May 19, 2023

The Edmonton Elks spent lavishly to upgrade their corps of pass catchers this offseason, bringing in thousand-yard receivers Eugene Lewis and Steven Dunbar Jr. However, one of the team's returning players believes that vaunted receiving milestone is too small by half.

Second-year receiver Dillon Mitchell, who joined the Elks mid-way through the 2022 season, has set his own mark for success at double what his new teammates have accomplished.

"I've told a couple of coaches this year that my goals are set high. If I reach 2K, that'll be something I'll be happy with," Mitchell recently revealed in an interview with Steven Sandor of the Canadian Press.

"My goal is to have 2,000 yards this season. I'm not sure what the record is, but I want to have a dominant season. I've always held high expectations for myself. I definitely feel that now, being more of a leader in the Elks group, there's a bigger weight on my shoulders to prove myself."

The 26-year-old made his CFL debut in Week 11 of last season, seeing action in nine games. He caught 35 passes for 637 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, finishing third on the team in receiving behind Kenny Lawler and Derel Walker — both of whom departed the club in free agency.

While Mitchell's season totals were only good enough for 22nd in the CFL, his average of 70.8 yards per game played was amongst the league's best. Projected over the course of a full 18-game schedule, the former seventh-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings was on pace for 1,274 yards — which would have trailed only Winnipeg's Dalton Schoen, B.C.'s Dominique Rhymes, and his new teammate Lewis, then with Montreal.

Additionally, his 18.2-yard average per catch was second only to Schoen among players with at least 20 receptions.

"It's something I thrive in doing. I want to make the big plays," Mitchell said of his ability to take the top off a defence. "I always want to do something that people have not seen before. I want to always keep the crowd entertained, that's a big part of my game."

"We are playing a game to entertain people, so being able to work on releases, work on getting open, to catch the ball, I feel the special ability that I have will definitely be shown this year."

Nevertheless, there is a big difference between showing special ability and eclipsing 2,000 receiving yards. Just three players in CFL history have accomplished that feat — Terry Greer in 1983, Allen Pitts in 1994, and Derrell 'Mookie' Mitchell in 1998 — and no receiver has even passed the 1,800-yard threshold in over a decade.

Still, Mitchell has some experience setting receiving records in the past. As a junior for the University of Oregon Ducks in 2018, he set a program single-season record with 1,184 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games.

The six-foot-one, 190-pound target has already flashed the same game-breaking ability early in his CFL career, earning an extension from the Elks to keep him with the team through 2025. Even with the talent they've added through free agency, the organization believes Mitchell will be a focal point in 2023.

"D-Mitch is in tremendous shape," Elks head coach and general manager Chris Jones told the media. "You've seen him. He averaged 18 yards per catch last year, and we expect the same thing from him this year."

https://3downnation.com/2023/05/19/second-year-elks-receiver-dillon-mitchell-sets-goal-of-2000-yards-in-2023/

Narrator: " Unfortunately, Mitchell failed to reach 2000 yards in 2023"

[dd]

2000 yds!! Ya right Chet!! We ll be more than happy with 1000 yds

[Jesse]

Mitchell fills the spot Wilson filled last year, without us having to cross our fingers that someone will step up. No repeat of the Bailey replacement issue. 

I don't think Walters uses that kind of negotiating tactic.  We sign who is available who fits our needs at the price we want to pay.  I don't think having Mitchell here changes Walters offers to anyone.  If we sign another starting quality WR though, might not be any chairs left when the music stops for someone.

Lawler and Schoen will be offered deals at the max we'd consider paying, whether or not "we have options".  Walters always treats players fairly, even if some do not think so.  They have the option of signing here, in an organization they know, to be treated the way they are accustomed, or they can sign elsewhere.  Kenny did that once.  And came back.

I don't think we will have an issue signing them, but even if both find better deals, I'm sure we will "have options".

Mitchell is a veteran with some individual success on a poor team. He's probably not coming in on a rookie minimum salary.

Seems unlikely we'd add him if we planned on retaining Schoen and Lawler.

[dd]

I m thinking Schoen's rehab is going to take the bulk of the season, so Mitchell, the experienced receiver slides into #2 receiver spot.

[TecnoGenius]

Probably signed at a reduced rate, could be a cheaper replacement for Schoen or Lawler.

Mitchell is a veteran with some individual success on a poor team. He's probably not coming in on a rookie minimum salary.

My first reaction is we probably paid him quite well to snag him.  "Well" as in "the high end of what middling receivers make".  Guessing $150-$180?

His 1st year ('22) he was a wunderkind "who is this guy".  600Y + 4TD in 9 games with 18Y avg!  He was great for fantasy.  Last couple of years he seemed to fall off and not get targeted as much.  In '24 he was having trouble connecting on the deep shots.

I like the signing, and am a bit "wowed" by it (who would have predicted it??).  Outside of stealing Gino, this was probably the best piece you could swipe from EDM.

He should be a great asset for us and might fit well with Zach.  However, he is more of a Kenny-type home-run and deep guy... at least as used in EDM.  He's not huge and probably can't take the crosser beating Sheed and Schoen were able to.

My only worry is we may have overpaid compared to if we had let him wither on the FA vine a bit first.  But at least we get a first glimpse into KW's mindset for '25 and for FA.

[RebusRankin]

He made $150,000 last season and got cut. I'd bet he's here for under that.

[blue_gold_84]

He made $150,000 last season and got cut. I'd bet he's here for under that.

It's certainly possible he was signed on the cheap, then.

And I'm sure I'll be long dead, but I'd relish the day the CFL openly shares players' salaries with us fans.

[DM83]

Really? Who cares.  If you want to understand their value, check their game stats. 18 yds a reception is awesome.

Sounds like a fantastic signing.
Way to go Mafia.

[theaardvark]

If he's here between $130k and $160k, with no guarantees, its very good value.  His upside has not been realized, his numbers in CGY were with QB's of questionable capability, on a mess of a team.

He is young enough to have taken a "betting on myself" one year deal.  Hoping to putmup 2K yards and get either an NFL look (like Schoen, Wilson have) or a big FA contract (like Kenny did).  An easy sell by the Mafia, although having Lawler and Schoen re-sign would reduce that shot.  Guessing they said something to the effect of "Lawler and Schoen haven't re-signed yet, so you could end up #1 target...", knowing full well that at least one is coming back.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I m thinking Schoen's rehab is going to take the bulk of the season, so Mitchell, the experienced receiver slides into #2 receiver spot.

Good point, considering Pokey may also be missing for the start of TC, Mitchell's signing will help Zach get off to a quicker start. If both Schoen and Pokey come back late, Walters may have to decide which receivers to keep.  Mitchell has a head start to prove he's a more valuable option than the other two, but must know he may only be a short term solution.

As per salary, he could have waited for FA if he wanted to reach for his highest payday, so Walters must have offered him at least $125k to convince him to sign now.  I think Sunderland was probably responsible for pushing Walters to make this unusual move. Typical Kyle would be to wait till the FA rush is over and pick up a neglected left-over receiver at a good price. This year there should be plenty of name players available in the bargain basement.

[Blue In BC]

Good point, considering Pokey may also be missing for the start of TC, Mitchell's signing will help Zach get off to a quicker start. If both Schoen and Pokey come back late, Walters may have to decide which receivers to keep.  Mitchell has a head start to prove he's a more valuable option than the other two, but must know he may only be a short term solution.

As per salary, he could have waited for FA if he wanted to reach for his highest payday, so Walters must have offered him at least $125k to convince him to sign now.  I think Sunderland was probably responsible for pushing Walters to make this unusual move. Typical Kyle would be to wait till the FA rush is over and pick up a neglected left-over receiver at a good price. This year there should be plenty of name players available in the bargain basement.

Schoen's re-hab is not known to us posters. Frankly I'm not even sure what his injury was but it happened very early in 2024. I don't think it was an achilles so he might be ready for TC?

[TecnoGenius]

It's certainly possible he was signed on the cheap, then.

And I'm sure I'll be long dead, but I'd relish the day the CFL openly shares players' salaries with us fans.

If you believe you have good value and see yourself as a "2k WR", then you have zero reason to sign early for cheap.  Mitchell is still early in his career and has no reason to think he'll lose the game of musical chairs by waiting.

As such you'd think the offer we made was at least fair, if not attractive.

Add in any intangible like actually winning and going deep in playoffs, and you might successfully pull off a signing like this.

[TecnoGenius]

As per salary, he could have waited for FA if he wanted to reach for his highest payday, so Walters must have offered him at least $125k to convince him to sign now.  I think Sunderland was probably responsible for pushing Walters to make this unusual move. Typical Kyle would be to wait till the FA rush is over and pick up a neglected left-over receiver at a good price. This year there should be plenty of name players available in the bargain basement.

Very good analysis.  Yes, you must consider the usual KW M.O..

This isn't a "mega-splash" FA move like the Kenny coup was, but it is still pretty splash as far as middle tier guys go.  And it's not a move we usually see at this time from KW.

But Mafia does have a M.O. of finding the "diamond in the rough" guys who they think will play above their payscale once in blue & gold.  This certainly fits that.  And we always seem big on EDM cast-offs for some reason.

The beauty is, no matter what the main impetus is here, it's a good move:
1. Fear (or know) we will lose 1 or both of Kenny/Schoen: Dillon can be "Kenny Lite".
2. Subtle way to put pressure on Kenny/Schoen to re-sign on our terms or they may be left out with no more SMS space.
3. Simply a puzzle piece to our less-than-stellar GC WR roster with no thoughts at all towards Kenny/Schoen.

The only way this is a fail is if we threw closer to $200k at him...