Drafted in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Lydell Mitchell arrived in Maryland as an elite, multi-dimensional weapon ready to transform Baltimore's backfield. After a couple of seasons settling into the professional ranks, Mitchell exploded into full stardom alongside quarterback Bert Jones, serving as the offensive engine for a juggernaut squad that captured three consecutive AFC East division titles from 1975 to 1977.

Mitchell’s prime in blue and white was characterized by constant dual-threat versatility. He became the franchise’s first to achieve three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, surpassing 1,193 yards in 1975, 1,200 in 1976, and 1,159 in 1977. His most groundbreaking achievements, however, came through the air: Mitchell led the NFL in receptions twice—72 catches in 1974 and 71 in 1977—a rare feat for a running back at that time. In his outstanding 1976 season, he recorded an NFL-high 23 Approximate Value (AV), 1,755 scrimmage yards, and eight touchdowns, earning Second-Team AP All-Pro honors.

During his peak stretch, Mitchell was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1975, 1976, 1977) and a two-time Second-Team AP All-Pro choice. Whether grinding out tough yards between the tackles or lining up as Jones' primary safety valve out of the backfield, he regularly generated high-volume output, racking up over 1,700 yards from scrimmage in three straight campaigns. After a contract dispute, Mitchell spent his final three NFL seasons with San Diego and the Los Angeles Rams, but he reached his highest level in Baltimore.

With the Colts, Mitchell had a total of 8,010 yards from scrimmage and 41 total touchdowns.