Colts' Chris Ballard lambasts reports on WR Adonai Mitchell's character: 'That's such (expletive)'

On Day 1, the Indianapolis Colts snapped a record streak of 14 offensive picks to start the draft by selecting pass rusher Laiatu Latu.

With their next pick on Day 2 at No. 52 overall, the Colts stopped the slide of Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to provide second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson with another weapon with which to grow.

Amid Mitchell's drop in Round 2 were reports of character concerns regarding the wideout, something general manager Chris Ballard not only shirked off but vehemently attacked in his Friday news conference with Indy's local media.

"I read some of the b------- that was said. I mean just the typical f------, excuse my language, our typical league," Ballard said. "Unnamed sources, you know, bad interview, that's such b-------. I mean it f------ is. It's b-------. Put your name on it. We tear these young men down. These are 21, 22-year-old men and if people out there can tell me they're perfect in their lives, it's crap. It's crap. This is a good kid. For those reports to come out, I said it last year, it's b-------. I'm sorry. I apologize for the language. I don't, but I do."

The rumor mill around draft picks and their compatibility with making a leap to the professional game churns every year, and every April the result of those reports -- either on injuries, attitude or the like -- lengthen the wait for a number of previously coveted prospects.

Ballard feels he has a stud to add to a WR room that has a bit of a chasm in terms of consistency between Michael Pittman and others like Josh Downs and Alec Pierce.

According to the metrics, Mitchell fits as the No. 2, likely already in Week 1, and Ballard got him on a deal -- even if he's now railing against the process that allowed him to do so