The Philadelphia Eagles might get creative with Quinyon Mitchell this year.
Mitchell, the 22nd pick in the draft this year, could end up playing at other spots besides boundary corner in the fresh-feeling defense from coordinator Vic Fangio. That could even mean getting a little uncomfortable in the slot.
According to Zach Berman of PHLY, Fangio remains open to the idea so that his defense can have the best possible three players at the position on the field as often as possible.
That could mean Mitchell on the inside, permitting Darius Slay Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, if not others, to get those outside snaps. Onlookers started to see evidence of this in the team’s preseason opener, too.
Mitchell’s strong play there was a highlight for Dave Spadaro of the team’s official website, too: “No. 1 draft pick Quinyon Mitchell, impressive all summer, should have had an interception on Baltimore's first drive, but nonetheless was on the ball, read perfectly an in-breaking route, and was in the right position and that's what you want.”
As Fangio went on to note in a presser, the challenge for Mitchell in making the change to slot is how he will need to play more like a linebacker against the run.
But Mitchell getting more snaps in the slot aligns with the current makeup of the secondary, which includes that position change to safety for James Bradberry, too. Based on the early returns, Fangio’s plan could work out quite well for the first-round pick and those around him.
