Rookie Spotlight: Quinyon Mitchell
Through the first eight weeks of the season, the most surprising player on the Eagles has been rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. The 22nd overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2024 NFL Draft, Mitchell’s transition from college to the NFL has been seamless. His stellar play thus far has made him look anything but a rookie. Mitchell’s natural instincts and outstanding ball skills make him a significant threat for any quarterback to throw toward. Mitchell has provided an immediate impact, being a reliable corner on the outside. His play in one-on-one coverage has been exceptional, as he hasn’t allowed a single touchdown and has made opposing receivers non-factors. Through the first half of the season, Mitchell has held some of the league’s top receivers to minimal production, including Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase with 16 yards, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans with 19 yards, Saints wide receiver Chris Olave with 23 yards, Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers with nine yards, Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper with 10 yards, and Falcons wide receiver Drake London with nine yards. Based on this strong start, all signs point to Mitchell being a cornerstone in Philadelphia’s secondary for years to come.
When a rookie cornerback can hold this elite group of receivers to less than 25 yards each, that is special. His performance last week against the Bengals was eye-opening, as he made Ja’Marr Chase a non-factor throughout. The Eagles have not had a young cornerback like this flourish as a rookie in quite some time. Statistically, Mitchell has been amongst the best in the business at the cornerback position to this point. His maturity in the position makes it easier for the defense to not require additional safety help to his side of the field. The only thing missing from Mitchell so far is his first interception. When quarterbacks have thrown to Mitchell, they only have a 51.4% chance of completion to their target. Of course, for sustained respect, Mitchell will have to stay consistent through the last 10 games of the season. With that being said, Mitchell has absolutely deserved the recognition so far. Assuming the Eagles clinch a playoff spot, it will be interesting to see how Mitchell will perform when the lights are the brightest further down the line.
From the first game of the season, Mitchell has been thrown into fire. He had a strong camp through the summer and was set to start opposite veteran cornerback Darius Slay. What has been most impressive about Mitchell is how polished he already looks. His poise and composure through the intensity of a play have been pleasant to watch. His development should excite Eagles fans everywhere.
