With the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles did something they had not done in 22 years: they selected a cornerback in the first round, Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell.
The last time Philadelphia grabbed a corner in the first round was 2002 when they selected Lito Sheppard.
Eagles Executive VP/GM Howie Roseman says the team considered moving up but decided to stay put and grab Mitchell.
“I think once we got towards the middle of the round, we saw that we were going to be okay and get a first-round player at our pick,” Roseman said Friday morning.
“I think it was unusual to not have action in that room. We contemplated — there were some really good players still left. We contemplated going up, but we kept going back to the fact that we felt like we had a really good chance to get a first-round player at a position of need where we were picking.”
The 22-year-old was expected to go earlier in the first round, but he fell to 22. The Eagles were able to get their man, and Mitchell is excited.
“When I got the call, just really excited,” Mitchell said. “I mean, glad to be here. I feel like it’s a great fit, so I’m really just excited and ready to get to work.”
Mitchell visited the Eagles before the draft, and he said Philadelphia showed him a lot of love.
“Yeah, when I came here on my top 30 visit was a lot of love shown,” he said. “I connected with everybody, met with everybody, so I felt really good about it.”
Last season, James Bradberry and Darius Slay were Philly’s starting corners, and Mitchell is excited to learn from Bradberry and Slay.
“Yeah, I don’t know them personally but I watched their games a lot and stuff like that,” Mitchell said. “I then just wanted to model my game after [CB Darius] Slay, and then really just want to come in and soak everything up from them.
Last season, Mitchell led Toledo with 18 pass breakups and holds the school record with 46 pass breakups. We’ll see what role Mitchell will have in his rookie season; no matter the role, he says he’ll do whatever he has to do to help his team.
“Yeah, my approach to my rookie year is just come in and do everything they ask me to do,” Mitchell said. “Play hard, play physical, be a great teammate, and just work hard. Whatever they ask me to do, I just do it.”
Mitchell will be given every opportunity to play a big role for the Eagles next season, and Philly hopes he can contribute immediately.
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