Quinyon Mitchell among PFF's top 1st-round rookies in NFL preseason

Ryan OLeary

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Quinyon Mitchell among PFF's top 1st-round rookies in NFL preseason image

The Philadelphia Eagles made Quinyon Mitchell the first cornerback and sixth overall defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Through 15 days of training camp, the former Toledo star appears to be a draft-day steal. 

Pro Football Focus graded all 32 first-round picks after Week 2 of the NFL preseason, and Mitchell cracked the top 10. 

Mitchell, selected No. 22 overall by the Eagles in April, has an overall PFF grade of 78.2 through two preseason games. That ranks him sixth among all first-round rookies — an even greater feat when you consider three quarterbacks and an offensive tackle are among the players ranked above him.

According to PFF’s analysis, Mitchell logged 15 coverage snaps during the Eagles’ Week 2 preseason game against the New England Patriots. He allowed just one reception for 1 yard on those plays. He also logged a tackle against the run.

Here’s what PFF had to say about Mitchell’s progress through two preseason games:

“Mitchell continues to show why he was the first cornerback selected in this year’s draft. He looks comfortable in Vic Fangio’s zone schemes. … Overall, Mitchell’s performance wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.”

While he projects to play on the outside, the Eagles have been grooming Mitchell at the nickel position throughout training camp. He told reporters after a recent training camp practice that he’s taking the challenges of learning the new position in stride.

“I feel like I’ve grown every day,” Mitchell said,” just asking questions and getting acclimated to the speed and stuff like that.

“I feel like it’s been a good process, just learning every position, just knowing where I’m helping and stuff like that. So I feel really good about it. I feel like I’ve been doing a good job.”

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.