Eagles draft CB Mitchell in Round 1

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 22 pick in the NFL draft.

Mitchell is the first cornerback off the board in 2024. The 6-foot defensive back put on a show across four seasons at Toledo, recording 37 pass breakups since 2022. He recorded five interceptions in 2022 and one last season.

The Eagles address a big need by drafting Mitchell, who adds talent and upside to an aging secondary. With veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry starting at cornerback in 2023, Philly's secondary struggled and allowed a 97.6 passer rating, the fourth-highest in the NFL.

Philadelphia has now used its last four first-round picks on defensive players. It drafted defensive lineman Jordan Davis in 2022, as well as defensive lineman Jalen Carter and pass-rusher Nolan Smith in 2023.

Pre-draft profile

It's rare for a Group of 5 player to be near the top of positional rankings, but Mitchell is special. He brings unparalleled competitive fire to each snap, using his elite athleticism to match up with receivers at all three levels. Mitchell is capable in man and zone, though he could improve his leverage when matched one-on-one. He also needs to hone his anticipatory skills as he can occasionally be a half step behind when matching up with routes. However, Mitchell's speed and ability to claw at receivers' hands help make up for those minor delays. Despite needing a bit of coaching and time to level up his game, the former Rocket has arguably the highest ceiling of any corner in this year's draft.