Quinyon Mitchell's Rookie Season Deserves More Recognition

Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is playing outstanding football for a surging Super Bowl contender. Somehow, it feels like Mitchell and the Eagles are flying under the radar right now. The first-year immediate contributor is playing like a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

The Eagles entered the offseason needing to undergo sweeping changes defensively to improve a 31st-ranked pass defense that allowed 252.7 air yards per game in 2023. Legendary defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was hired and players like Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson were added to the secondary. Those changes have led to vast improvement, with the Eagles currently allowing a 10th-fewest 193.9 passing yards per game.

And Mitchell has been a workhorse in that improved secondary. The former Toledo standout has played a position-high 418 snaps in Fangio's defensive backfield, immediately earning the trust of his DC. The second-most snapped Eagles cornerback is six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay, who has played 57 fewer snaps (361). And despite the high snap count, Mitchell is playing disciplined football. He's been whistled for two penalties this season.

Mitchell has allowed 19 receptions on 34 targets, according to Pro Football Focus. The first-round cornerback has forfeited just 254 yards and has yet to allow a single touchdown pass. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 55.9% of the attempts thrown in Mitchell's direction.

Mitchell has been competitive at the catch point, amassing six pass breakups. He's allowing a manageable 13.4 yards per reception, with quarterbacks seeing a lackluster passer rating of 79.8. Mitchell has also added 26 tackles and five stops to his defensive totals this season. He's only been assigned blame for missing three tackles.

Opposing wide receivers haven't been gaining yards after catch in his vicinity either. Mitchell has allowed just 48 yards after catch all campaign long, 15 or fewer in every appearance. Mitchell has been in particularly shut-down form in recent showings, with a 13-yard reception being the longest passing gain he's allowed in Philadelphia's last three contests.

Mitchell has earned the second-most snaps in coverage among all rookie cornerbacks, trailing just Detroit's Terrion Arnold. His PFF coverage grade of 68.5 ranks fifth-best among rookie corners that have played at least 100 snaps in coverage, and he leads those qualifying players in snaps played. He's been the most consistent first-year corner in the league.

The 55.9% completion percentage allowed ranks second-best among rookie corners with at least 30 targets thrown in their direction. Houston Texans first-year cornerback Kamari Lassiter leads this list at 38.7% (12 catches on 31 targets). Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins could soon join the fray, allowing 52% of his 25 targets to be caught (13).

Mitchell's six pass breakups lead all rookie cornerbacks, as do his eight forced incompletions and 24% forced incompletions rate (tied with Wiggins). Opposing quarterbacks have also attempted to complete explosive plays in his direction. Mitchell's average depth of target (aDOT) of 15.2 ranks third-highest (min. qualifiers), behind just Lassiter (15.7) and Renardo Green (18.2).

The 5-2 Eagles are second in the NFC East, and they haven't played the division-leading Washington Commanders yet. They're currently embarking on a three-game winning streak, having outscored their opponents 85-36. The Eagles are a much-improved squad, and Mitchell's rookie performance is a big reason why.