Ball Hawk Quinyon Mitchell

Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell popped onto my radar as the last prospect I am reviewing on 2022 college game film as tomorrow I turn the page to 2023 film in final preparations for the 2024 NFL Draft.

I’m sure glad he did.

This defender has a whooping 45 passes defended in four seasons at Toledo and six career interceptions.

While he plays at a smaller school and the level of competition does factor in, Mitchell has caught the attention of several mainstream draft platforms. The Athletic, Clutch Points, Pro Football Network, Pro Football Focus, SB Nation, The 33rd Team, and Yahoo Sports all have tagged Mitchell with a first-round grade.

Where is he on First Round Mock’s Board?

Cover corner

That starts by defining what he is. Mitchell is a cover corner through and through who wants little to nothing to do with pass or run support.

However, he has elite coverage skills and an imposing pre-snap presence with these long octopus arms he uses to bat away passes and while he may not be aggressive in support, this defender is an absolute ball hawk in coverage.

That right there in today’s pass-happy NFL is a premium.

Wow – those ball instincts

I am reminded of my favorite kid’s television show this time of the year, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer when his best characteristic was a red-nosed that glowed so brightly it cut through all kinds of weather to guide Santa’s sleigh.

What does this have to do with Mitchell?

This Toledo cornerback can lead an NFL defense in pass coverage the way he plays the ball.

TALK ABOUT BALL INSTINCTS!

I am willing to overlook Mitchell’s passiveness in support – – that’s how good his ball instincts looked. He showed incredible anticipation when the ball was in the air. Granted, it was against lower-level college competition.

However, traits are traits.

Mitchell showed an uncanny ability to locate the ball and he often kept an eye on the quarterback. He plays the ball and not the receiver, often being in as good if not better position than the receiver.

Aggression wins

Mitchell is great at baiting throws in his direction. He likes to back off and lead the quarterback to believe there’s a nice big throwing window out there. He loves to crouch pre-snap and let his long arms drape below his knees. At the snap, he mirrors and reacts to the receiver’s every movement.

Then he can close – – and close fast with a nice burst back downhill.

This Toledo corner has an aggressive nose for the football that can’t be taught. It’s something that can only be admired.

Mitchell has quick and sudden predatory movements while lurking in coverage like a shadow on the island he lives on.

#27 Quinyon Mitchell 6-foot-0, 196 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 11.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 6, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): Buffalo, Ohio, and Western Michigan (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 42 tackles (27 solo), 19 passes defended, 5 interceptions and 2 touchdowns

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Well-built muscular framed corner with good straight-line speed and downhill burst shown. Mostly lines up in off-man pre-snap and is willing to concede short gains underneath. Rarely was in press man, but looked good doing it. Dropped into the middle part of the field a couple of times as a safety when the ball was snapped. Good back-peddling and ability to mirror receivers. Has some real get up and go. Reads well. Instinctual. Able to carry straight-line vertical routes while maintaining route leverage. Excellent at defending shallow inside slants and crossing routes. Comes up to thump on screens. Gets arms in there or gets in the way of passes often. Avoids penalty flags. Good technique. Can fire in on a run blitz, but avoids running plays like the plague.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Giving up short underneath routes?

2. Lining up in press-man coverage?

3. Looks aggressive in coverage?

4. Involved in run defense?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.