When the Philadelphia Eagles selected cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many fans were ecstatic. Yet the reality of the situation was that Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has had an interesting history with rookies.
Fangio is an honest, old-school coach who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Therefore, if players aren’t ready to play or are underperforming, Fangio will let the entire world know.
However, Mitchell has quickly shown Fangio and the Eagles that he isn’t your average rookie.
Quinyon Mitchell’s Confidence Is Key for the Eagles
Mitchell made his presence known from Day 1 in Philadelphia as the 23-year-old rookie cornerback was immediately talking trash to Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown during the team’s mandatory minicamp earlier this offseason.
In order to be a successful cornerback in the NFL, confidence is key. It quickly became clear that Mitchell didn’t lack any confidence, despite being a rookie. Brown discussed his matchups with Mitchell, highlighting how the rookie called one of his routes “trash.”
“I said, ‘What!?'” Brown recalled about the exchange. “I said, ‘You don’t even talk and you’re talking trash.’ It was funny to hear from him. I told him, I said, ‘I like to see that. I want to see you step up.’ Because he’s not going to be playing against me. He’s going to be playing against other guys. I want to see him hold his own.”
“I told him, ‘Alright, you took the first step. Now you got to back it up. You have to walk that walk.’ I’ve been looking forward to getting some reps against him.”
Smith wasn’t the only player that Mitchell has talked trash to in Philadelphia. Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith discussed his first interaction with the rookie cornerback. Ironically, Mitchell also called Smith’s routes “trash,” as that appears to be his go-to line.
“Today was the first day I went against him. I got open,” Smith said to Zach Berman of PHLY. “And he told me my route was trash. I like it, though. He’s a great guy. I like what I’ve seen; he’s moving around a lot.”
While Mitchell’s performance against Philadelphia’s star wide receiver duo during practice is certainly encouraging, his preseason performance was impressive as well.
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Mitchell allowed two receptions on three targets for just eight yards in 30 total snaps in coverage through two preseason games, including a near interception as his lone pass breakup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Thanks to his performance in practice and the preseason, Mitchell has earned a starting role in Philadelphia’s secondary, but where he will play in Fangio’s defensive scheme remains to be seen.
How Will Vic Fangio Utilize Mitchell in 2024?
Fangio doesn’t just hand starting jobs to highly drafted players, especially at cornerback. Therefore, the fact that Mitchell has cemented a starting job in Philadelphia’s secondary so quickly is rather impressive.
For example, Fangio didn’t start cornerback Patrick Surtain II as a rookie in 2021. Ronald Darby started at cornerback in Week 1 of the regular season and once he went down with an injury, Surtain became a starting cornerback and never looked back.
The Miami Dolphins selected cornerback Cam Smith in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Smith played 22 total snaps as a rookie last season, as Fangio clearly didn’t think he deserved significant playing time in his defensive scheme.
Yet Mitchell has done quite the opposite; he has already earned a starting job for the Eagles ahead of the team’s regular-season opener. Fangio was asked on Monday if Mitchell is ready to play every snap and handle the responsibility of being a full-time starter.
“Yes, and yes,” Fangio quickly responded. “He’s just played well. He’s done a good job picking up his responsibilities, done a good job playing, and he will be out there.”
Earlier in training camp, Fangio was questioned about his willingness to play rookies and the ideal workload for young players. While Fangio said that he prefers for rookies to focus on playing one position, Mitchell has shown the ability to play both outside cornerback and in the slot.
On Monday, Fangio was also asked how long it took him to realize that Mitchell could handle whatever the team threw at him.
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“Pretty quickly because we did play him at nickel early on, and he did fine in there,” Fangio said. “I do think for him personally, it would be good to lock in at one spot because even though we’ve been very happy with his development and his learning abilities, he still is a rookie, and I do think if he can get comfortable at one spot, it would be to his benefit. But we may not be able to do that.”
That final line of Fangio’s quote is certainly notable. Given Mitchell’s ability to play both outside and inside, he gives Philadelphia much-needed versatility at cornerback.
Mitchell is expected to start at outside cornerback opposite Darius Slay Jr. in base formations. Once the Eagles go with a nickel package, Mitchell is projected to move inside and play slot cornerback. That’ll allow Fangio to keep the most talented secondary possible on the field.
If Mitchell is truly able to play both inside and outside, the Eagles will be in great shape moving forward as Philadelphia’s CB1 of the future will have the ability to be a true shutdown cornerback and follow the opposing team’s best player all over the field.
While Fangio clearly prefers to bring rookies along slowly, Mitchell has forced the veteran play-caller to change his old ways. Now Mitchell must take advantage of the opportunity, while likely calling opposing wide receivers’ routes “trash” as well.
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