Few rookie wide receivers have looked as promising during the New England Patriots’ dynastic run as Malcolm Mitchell: a fourth-round pick out of Georgia, he carved out a role as a rotational third/fourth option on New England’s stacked 2016 offense and finished his first year in the NFL with a combined 39 catches for 476 yards and four touchdowns, including a six-catch, 70-yard performance in Super Bowl 51.
Last week — two years removed from playing a key role in the Patriots’ fifth championship run — Mitchell took to social media to announce his retirement from pro football.