Philadelphia Eagles News, April 26: Draft Analyst Believes Mitchell Is a Round 1 Steal, Team’s Addition of Top Prospect Prioritizes Defensive Backfield, and More

Philadelphia Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell.

The Philadelphia Eagles got their man at the cornerback position, selecting Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 22 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Mitchell, an explosive player who ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and had a 38-inch vertical jump, could be the next big piece for Philadelphia to get back to its winning ways. That and more in today’s Eagles news!

Philadelphia Eagles News Today

Draft Analyst Believes Mitchell is a Round 1 Steal

Mitchell was considered to be one of the biggest draft night steals by Pro Football Network’s Dakota Randall. The former Toledo cornerback had 122 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 52 pass deflections, and six interceptions in four seasons with the Rockets.

“Quinyon Mitchell was 16th on our big board, but he was higher on others,” Randall wrote. “In any other year, he probably would’ve been a top-15 draft pick.

“Instead, the Toledo product fell to the Eagles, who surprised some by drafting Mitchell ahead of Alabama corner Terrion Arnold. Regardless, landing Mitchell at No. 22 represents great value for Philadelphia.”

KEEP READING: Round 1’s Biggest Steals

Eagles Are Round 1 Winners, According to NFL Analyst

By nabbing Mitchell at the No. 22 pick, the Eagles were winners in the first round, according to Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson. Not only was Mitchell one of the best players available at the time, but his impressive Senior Bowl — paired with his top-flight speed and the ability to flank the aging Darius Slay — puts him at a premium position for the Birds.

“Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had never selected a first-round corner, but Philadelphia’s defensive collapse in 2023  was enough for him to stray from his draft tenets,” Robinson wrote.

“Incumbent Eagles CB Darius Slay is already 33, while James Bradberry turns 31 in August and fell off a cliff in 2023. Adding Quinyon Mitchell — who dominated against Power Five athletes at the Senior Bowl, then posted a 4.33 40-yard dash at the Combine — means Philadelphia won’t have to rely on aging options in its secondary again.

“And the Eagles landed Mitchell without trading up.”

CONTINUE READING: Winners and Losers From Day 1

Team’s Addition of Mitchell Prioritizes Defensive Backfield

PFN’s Anthony DiBona discussed the implications of adding Mitchell to a secondary that includes safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blakenship, along with corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

“The Eagles prioritized signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, hoping to bring some swagger back to Philadelphia’s secondary,” DiBona wrote. “Now the addition of Mitchell will help bring that charisma and fight to the cornerback position as well.

“One of the concerns with Mitchell was the level of competition that he faced at Toledo, yet he answered all of those questions with his performance at the Senior Bowl. Mitchell will bring much-needed physicality and ball-hawking skills to Philadelphia’s secondary.”

WR A.J. Brown Signs Extension

Sneaking quietly under the radar was the Eagles signing A.J. Brown to an extension. The receiver received a three-year, $94 million contract extension, with $84 million guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport.

Cowboys LB ‘Utterly Disgusted’ by Eagles Draft Pick

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons appeared on Bleacher Report’s live stream during the NFL Draft. He wasn’t too pleased about the Eagles’ first-round pick.

“I mean, honestly, I’m utterly disgusted how lucky the Eagles are,” Parsons said on Bleacher Report’s live stream. “He checks every box. I think this is a terrific pick. I don’t know how [general manager Howie Roseman] and them get so lucky.”

KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Grades

Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s all-new Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls — lone wolf or with your friends!