April 25, 2024   2 MIN READ

Holy Toledo!

Board Falls Birds Way; Select Draft's Top CB

by

A major run on offense in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft allowed for the Philadelphia Eagles to have their selection among every possible first round cornerback.

In the end, the Eagles selected Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo with the 22nd overall pick of the draft.

Quinyon Mitchell

Mitchell becomes the first CB selected in the opening round by the team since All-Pro Lito Sheppard in 2002.

The 22-year-old was identified by Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher as a name to watch for the Birds entering the first round as a trade up candidate. But the draft began with an unprecedented run of 14 consecutive offensive players, including six quarterbacks, allowing the Eagles to stay put. The first five picks on the other side of the ball were all on the defensive line, giving Howie Roseman his choice of the top defensive back.

Mitchell fills the team’s most important defensive need. The Eagles began the 2023 season with the oldest outside CB duo in the league with 33-year-old Darius Slay and 30-year-old James Bradberry and faced the consequences with a late-season injury to the former and regression from the latter.

Despite a busy offseason, Philadelphia had yet to add to the corner position with the exception of the reinstatement of Isaiah Rodgers from a season long suspension.

According to NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell, Mitchell thrives in off-coverage, used frequently by new Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

About The Author

1 Comment

  • Carl Stephenson

    What a night! Lock up AJ and get the best corner without trading up! Awesome!