We are excited about our draft coverage here at FFSN this year, as we are adding something new to the fold. Between now and the NFL Draft, I will be writing individual player profiles on many of this year’s top prospects. Today, we continue the series with Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

Each of these breakdowns will include a brief background on the player, an in-depth scouting report, and a projection as to where he is likely to be selected in the NFL Draft. All of these articles can be found on our main FFSN NFL feed. Be sure to share these breakdowns with your fellow draft buddies on social media!

Bio and Profile

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 195 lbs

Mitchell came to Toledo as a consensus three-star prospect who played both offense and defense in high school. It did not take long for him to settle in at corner at the collegiate level, as he saw playing time in every game his freshman season. He only improved the following season, and his performance against Notre Dame in 2021 caught the eye of many in the draft community. He leaves the Rockets having created a mini legacy, setting the record for most pass breakups in the history of the school. His draft stock has soared over the past couple months, and he enters the draft with perhaps more momentum than any other corner in the class.

Scouting Report

It raised the eyebrows of many when I put Quinyon Mitchell in Round 1 of my first mock draft back in January, but he has only risen throughout the draft process, and I now view him as a top-10 prospect in this class. With 6 interceptions and a whopping 37 passes defended over the past two seasons, Mitchell has been an absolute menace, displaying an aggressive play style and outstanding ball skills. While I do believe his best work comes in man coverage, he possesses the backpedal fluidity, reaction speed, and instincts you want in a top-notch zone corner. He is also a sure tackler in the open field, which only raises his floor as an overall prospect.

Another thing I like about Mitchell is his ability to get good position on the outside. His hand usage is outstanding on the perimeter, as he knows where and how to jock with defenders without getting called for an overabundance of penalties. The only concern one could possibly have with him would be the fact he did not face great competition. Having said that, he held up incredibly well against several solid receivers at the Senior Bowl, and he has looked the part in every portion of the pre-draft process. Joey Porter, Jr. was my highest-rated corner and fifth-highest rated player in last year’s draft. Mitchell is not quite on that same plain, but he is not far off. He is definitely the top corner in this class.

Draft Projection

It is possible certain teams still view Terrion Arnold as the top corner in the class, but if I have to make a prediction, I am going to say Mitchell is the first corner off the board. The Broncos, Raiders, and Colts all have a need at the position in the 11-15 range, which makes it highly unlikely he slips outside the top 15. I could even see him going as high as Pick 8 to the Falcons, depending on what happens ahead of them.