NFL Draft Grades: Eagles got “the steal of the draft”

Everyone has a lot of nice things to say about Howie Roseman.

Another year, another “feels too good to be true” outcome for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Draft. And very much in a good way, in case that wasn’t already clear!

The way the board shook out ended up being favorable enough to allow the Birds to stay at No. 22 and pick a player in Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell that they were reportedly considering trading up to select as high as No. 12.

Now it’s it’s time to see what the so-called “experts” are saying about these moves. Instant draft grades are hardly the be-all, end-all determination of whether a pick is actually good or not … but they’re still fun to look at. Especially when your favorite team is generating a lot of praise!

BLG’s grade (A)

Mitchell is one of three players I realistically wanted the Eagles to come away with. The other two were Amarius Mims, who went off the board at No. 18, and Terrion Arnold.

Mitchell is who I had the Eagles taking at No. 22 overall in this year’s SB Nation NFL writers mock draft. Picking him was a no-brainer for me in that activity.

The real life decision was slightly more complicated since Terrion Arnold was unexpectedly still on the board. I liked Arnold over Mitchell; I feel very confident about his projection considering his experience at Alabama, his production, and his mentality (seriously, go watch his interviews and tell me that guy isn’t mentally suited to play CB, he oozes confidence). Arnold is also younger; he just turned 21 in March while Mitchell turns 23 in July.

That being said, the gap between Arnold and Mitchell wasn’t very big for me. Mitchell checks a lot of boxes:

• Above-average size.
• Plenty of experience playing the position (43 college starts).
• Durable.
• Boasts elite athleticism (4.33 40-yard dash).
• Makes plays on the ball (6 INTs, 45 PDs, 1 FF).

The biggest knocks on him are concerns about the level of competition (four of Mitchell’s six college interceptions came in one game against Northern Illinois’ backup quarterback) and his inexperience playing press coverage. But he showed positive signs in both of those regards during Senior Bowl week. That’s obviously a pretty small sample size but it’s still encouraging.

Mitchell has the potential to be a Day 1 starter across from Darius Slay. I might be more reluctant than others to merely assume he’s immediately a lock for that role. But when you look at this coaching staff’s reluctance to play rookies, and you consider how there are a lot of other corners competing for playing time, I’m not ready to set in stone. And it’s not a disaster if he’s not starting from the jump. But it sure would be nice if he’s instantly able to help the Eagles at a major position of weakness for them last year.

BGN community (A)

To no surprise, the Mitchell pick was pretty popular with Eagles fans. Not quite everyone was ready to say it was an A.

But the results weren’t too different from the Eagles trading up to take Jalen Carter at No. 9 last year. That poll resulted in 86% A, 10% B, and 2% C.

SB Nation (A+)

I can’t believe Howie Roseman finally took a CB in the first round. After decades of ignoring it, he finally gets one in Mitchell who is a great fit for that defense. Mitchell excels in off-man coverage and played in a really solid schematic defense at Toledo. His ball skills and trigger to the ball in off man are a perfect fit in Philly.

Yahoo! Sports (A+)

“This pick might be the steal of the draft when we look back. The Eagles got a cornerback prospect who checks all the boxes that a team could want, from production to athleticism. Mitchell is the exact type of prospect the Eagles needed to add and has real shutdown potential in the NFL

The Ringer (A+)

This is a home run for the Birds, who land my 12th-ranked player (and second-ranked corner) at no. 22. Mitchell brings some questions coming from the MAC, where he faced inferior competition. But he has all the tools to develop into a lockdown corner: He’s big, he’s extremely fast, and he brings ball-hawking instincts to Philly’s secondary. This selection fills a massive need for the Eagles.

NFL.com (A)

For once, GM Howie Roseman did not need to make a move upwards to find a great value at a position of need. Mitchell’s ability to run a 4.33 40 at the combine at 6-foot and 195 pounds locked his spot in the first round. His six interceptions and 46 pass break-ups during his time at Toledo showed his closing speed and ability to play the ball, as did his work against top receivers at the Senior Bowl. Mitchell often played off in college, but he has the strength and quickness to play man and showed the acumen to come off the edge as a blitzer. What a find for the Eagles, who bring more talent to the cornerback position

The Athletic (A)

Many wondered if Philadelphia might move up to address its obvious need at corner. Instead, with six quarterbacks going in the top 12, the corners fell to the Eagles. One of the humblest players in the draft, Mitchell turned down big NIL money offered by SEC schools to stay at Toledo and finish his degree. As a player, he’s big, long and extremely fast — Mitchell burned a 4.33 at the combine, posted a 38-inch vertical and a broad jump of 10 feet, 2 inches, and was downright dominant at the Senior Bowl. He improved every day at Toledo and wound up with a whopping 52 passes defended over three years. For Philadelphia, this couldn’t have gone better.

Pro Football Focus (“Pick grade: Elite”)

Philadelphia fortifies its 28th-ranked coverage unit with arguably the most talented cornerback in this class. Mitchell led all FBS cornerbacks in PFF overall grade in each of the past two seasons. His outstanding athleticism and ability to make plays in off-coverage make him a perfect fit in Vic Fangio’s defense.