Quinyon Mitchell's dropped interceptions don't tell the whole story of just how good the Eagles rookie really is
Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell has been taking some heat for dropping at least three potential interceptions this season. While those grabs could have been game-changers for the Birds, the Eagles' 2024 first-round pick is excelling in every other area. Through six games so far, Mitchell has allowed 14 catches on 29 targets for […]
Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell has been taking some heat for dropping at least three potential interceptions this season.
While those grabs could have been game-changers for the Birds, the Eagles' 2024 first-round pick is excelling in every other area.
Through six games so far, Mitchell has allowed 14 catches on 29 targets for 197 yards and zero touchdowns for a 70.6 QB rating. He has racked up 14 tackles and six passes defended while playing 97 defensive snaps.
Mitchell has missed just two tackles.
And we can't leave out that at least one of those dropped interceptions wasn't his fault after C.J. Gardner-Johnson got in the way of it.
Of course, Mitchell wants to make a big play but his lack of interceptions is not going to change the fact that he's a true starting cornerback in the league as a young rookie, according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
"I do know he wants to get off the schneid and get an NFL interception," Fangio said. "… He’s played a lot. When I say he’s played a lot, he’s basically been our first-team right corner since early on in camp. So I think he’s passed the point of hanging on, and now he’s being an NFL starting corner."
When Mitchell isn't busting his butt on the field trying to make a big play, he's sending a late-night text to defensive backs coach Christian Parker to understand what he can do better.
Mitchell isn't alone in asking for the extra help as fellow rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean is doing the same thing.
“They like meeting extra, they want to stay after practice," Parker said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. "Sometimes I gotta tell them, ‘Hey, I got a staff meeting.’ But they’re always trying to get more because they understand they’re lacking in experience but they’re trying to catch up with work ethic.”
There's no doubt that Mitchell's (and DeJean's) interception is on the way, but fans should be very happy with how he's already performing this early in his career.
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The ultimate compliment.
