Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Size:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195 pounds
Arm Length: 31”
Hand Size: 9 1/4"
Accomplishments:
All-MAC First-Team Defense (2023, 2022)
“Quinyon Mitchell is an explosive athlete at the CB position who rises to the occasion in coverage with some of the best ball skills in the 2024 NFL Draft.”
Strengths:
Coverage instincts
Outstanding ball production
Reactive athlete
Explosive downhill trigger
Concerns:
Body positioning down the field
Overaggressiveness
Late/delayed backpedal transitions
Film Analysis:
Quinyon Mitchell plays much off-man and zone coverage (C4). His route recognition ability is a plus. Mitchell does a nice job reading routes from his landmarks and squatting before driving downhill. He uses a side-saddle or bail technique to keep everything in front of him and prevent the deep ball. He is a competitive cornerback who turns down no challenge. In 2022, he faced Elite WR Marvin Harrison Jr and battled all game.
Mitchell has tremendous ball skills and production over the last two seasons. He battles at the catch point with an entitled attitude. He is as disruptive as any CB I’ve studied in this class at the catch point. I love how he attacks the receiver’s hands and punches through the pocket to force incompletions. Mitchell is skilled at undercutting routes and creating turnover opportunities. He anticipates the receiver’s break and drives on the ball. His feel for space and distance paired with his short area burst and quickness creates tighter throwing lanes for the QB.
While I love his aggressiveness to trigger and drive downhill, Mitchell can be too antsy for the big play. Opportunities were available to catch him with a double move and draw him downhill to open a deep shot down the field. His backpedal is adequate but there can be lateness and delays. He rarely aligns in press man, leading to needing development with his approach, plan, and technique when aligned tight to the LOS. The Senior Bowl showed glimpses of his growth but more is required. His gate and stride as a runner are delayed and footwork can be choppy. Pre-snap alignment could improve to ensure he’s playing to the strengths of the defensive coverage. Improving his body positioning down the field against more physical receivers will help Mitchell reach his high coverage ceiling.
Overall, Quinyon Mitchell projects as a cover 3 & 4 outside cornerback, with man coverage upside. With his back to the sideline, Mitchell can excel keeping his eyes on route concepts and the quarterback. Ball production and trigger make him a risky DB to target—27 pass breakups and six interceptions since 2022.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Miami-OH (2023), Bowling Green (2023), Illinois (2023), Ohio State (2022), Northern Illinois (2022)
