The Philadelphia Eagles selected Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 22 pick in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft.
A terrific combination of calm and explosion, Mitchell blossomed from a fast and skinny three-star cornerback prospect to the complete package at 6 feet, 195 pounds. Mitchell ran a 4.33 40-yard dash time and recorded a 38-inch vertical jump at the combine in Indianapolis. A phenomenal athlete, Mitchell comes with enough core balance to be patient and under control in coverage.
During a game against Northern Illinois in 2022, Mitchell picked off four passes and returned two for touchdowns. In three years as a starter at Toledo, he broke up a whopping 52 passes.
Mitchell’s composure and ability to run with anyone make him an ideal NFL corner prospect and arguably the top player at the position in this class.
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Mitchell ranked No. 11 in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Overall, Mitchell is a balanced size/speed athlete who stays in phase up and down the field, doesn’t panic and makes plays on the football at a high rate. His tape and traits show an NFL-ready starter with a bright future.”
Coaching intel
What an anonymous coach had to say about Mitchell in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“He plays like an offensive player on defense. You don’t see many guys that can transition the way he transitions. He’s a game-changer on one side of the field.”
Why he’s a first-round pick
Mitchell turned down big money from several SEC schools to stay with Jason Candle and Toledo in 2023, finishing his career as the best defensive back in program history — something he’s very proud of. A reliable, trustworthy and explosive player, Mitchell has both instant starter and future Pro Bowl potential in the NFL.
With 14 pass break-ups this season (No. 2 in the FBS), it was just a matter of time until #Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell got his first INT of 2023. Traits + Production.
Mitchell is No. 35 overall on my recent top-50 (highest-ranked G5 prospect). pic.twitter.com/n1EgJoKygY
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 9, 2023
Nick Baumgardner grades the pick
Many wondered if Philadelphia might move up to address its obvious need at cornerback. Instead, with six quarterbacks going in the top 12, the corners fell to the Eagles. Philadelphia sticks at No. 22 and drafts the first cornerback in Toledo’s Mitchell. One of the humblest players in the draft, Mitchell turned down big SEC money to stay at Toledo and finish his degree.
He’s also big, long and extremely fast. Mitchell burned a 4.33 at the combine, jumped 38 inches with a 10-2 broad and was downright dominant at the Senior Bowl. He got better every day at Toledo and wound up with a whopping 52 passes defended in three years. For Philadelphia, this couldn’t have gone better. Grade: A
Ted Nguyen’s assessment
Eagles stay put and get one of the best corners available in Mitchell. He’s a perfect scheme fit for what they do. He played a lot of off-coverage and was a demon breaking on passes in front of him. Always nice when the best player available fits with your need and scheme.
(Photo: Emilee Chinn / Associated Press)
