Impressive Impression

PHILADELPHIA – On a critical 3rd-and-6 Friday night – the sixth play of the Green Bay Packers’ opening drive against the Eagles – it appeared the eyes of Packers quarterback Jordan Love fixated on the left side of the field.

Out of the shotgun from the Eagles’ 38, Love quickly zeroed in on his target – wide receiver Christian Watson, running a vertical route – and lofted a deep shot without hesitation down the left sideline.

In Watson’s hip pocket, however, was Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, running stride-for-stride with the 6-foot-4 wideout while also getting his head around to locate the football and close off any remaining space between him and the receiver. The coverage forced an incompletion.

Mitchell, brimming with bravado, signaled incomplete – and was promptly accompanied by Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox and fellow rookie Cooper DeJean to celebrate – before walking toward Watson to exchange some words.

The tone was set, and a career was born, as Mitchell oozed poise and flair.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles first-round CB Quinyon Mitchell shined in his NFL debut.

But the charisma and unflinching response to being tested was merely an extension of what he’s showcased since the start of the summer.

The moment would never be too big.

The first-rounder from Toledo, boasting football intellect and veteran savvy, demonstrated his eye discipline on multiple occasions, blanketing receivers and taking away throws from Love, such as a crossing route in the end zone, where Mitchell carried wide receiver Romeo Doubs across to the back right corner, ultimately forcing Love into a throw-away.

There was another instance in the second quarter, a 2nd-and-10 from the Packers’ 30, when Mitchell appeared to read Love’s eyes and ran the route for tight end Luke Musgrave to defend the pass, with his momentum taking him toward the visitors’ sideline. Mitchell wasted little time letting defensive end Rashan Gary know all about it.

Darius Slay, Mitchell’s corner counterpart on the opposite side, was fired up, walking toward the rookie to presumably offer words of encouragement.

The veteran Slay has never been one to hide his genuine excitement in seeing young players representing the future of the NFL thrive and make plays.

Mitchell and Slay have forged a meaningful friendship, and while the two will joke around and have fun, Mitchell has mentioned that he tries to ask Slay a question every day.

He’ll also just watch how Slay moves on and off the field, how he carries himself, and how Slay takes care of his body.

But most notable for Mitchell is his penchant for countering to whatever is thrown his way and adapting almost seamlessly despite his multifaceted role on an intricate defense.

While some first-round picks grapple with the advanced complexities and elevated expectations, Mitchell, to this point, has responded favorably.

“It goes back to controlling the things that you can control,”head coach Nick Sirianni said last week. “When you’re a first-round pick, the expectations are high. Shoot, when you went to the Super Bowl the year before, the expectations are high. How are you handling those things?”

Sirianno noted that first-round picks sometimes “get lost in the expectations.”

But he sees a difference in Mitchell.

“Again, this is one of the reasons you get into this is the camaraderie, the Friday night lights, all these different things, and truly enjoying the journey,” Sirianni added. “You’ve heard the older guys talk about Q. They really have taken a liking to him. I see Slay joking around with him quite often, and I think he’s enjoying being an Eagle.

“You can ask him all those things. But Q has got a calm, confident demeanor about himself because he knows he’s prepared and he knows he’s put the work in, and he knows he’s a heck of a talent.”

For his part, Mitchell, who on Friday evening played exclusively on the outside after repping at nickelback throughout the summer, registered five tackles and two passes defended in his NFL debut.

His coverage stats, per Pro Football Focus, revealed that he was responsible for five receptions and 86 yards allowed, along with three first downs on nine targets.

While it seems the long-term plan of aligning Mitchell at his natural post on the outside has been expedited, it’s worth noting his versatility offers optionality for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

If Fangio views him as a more suitable fit inside when the defense shifts to nickel in place of veteran Avonte Maddox, he has veteran Isaiah Rodgers and second-year cornerback Kelee Ringo waiting in the wings to replace the spot on the perimeter.

But for now, it seems the Eagles have the combination they desire, which will be especially true once second-round rookie Cooper DeJean rounds into form.

Mitchell’s next test, at least on paper, will again constitute as a measuring stick.

The Atlanta Falcons, who travel to South Philly to play the Eagles on Monday night, boast a receiving corps that includes Drake London and Darnell Mooney – a group that underwhelmed offensively in their opener but will hope the extra preparation day this week helps them reverse course.

Now with a game’s worth of tape, Mitchell must again adapt and answer the bell, which Fangio said hasn’t become an issue.

In August, Fangio said of Mitchell: “He’s a good player and he’s going to be a good player.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.