Key Takeaways:
– The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to rebuild their secondary teams after a disappointing 2023 season.
– Despite a strong start, the Eagles were vanquished in the NFC Wild Card Round due to poor secondary performance.
– A key target for the Eagles is Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, a top prospect in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
– Mitchell’s impressive athleticism and ball skills make him a desirable candidate.
– Picking Mitchell would break a longstanding trend of the Eagles avoiding cornerbacks in higher draft rounds.
After a tough 2023 season, Philadelphia Eagles are all set to revamp the secondary positions during this off-season. Details of their revamp strategy come based on a report from Heavy.com.
A String of Disappointments
Famed for their dynamism on the football field, the Eagles’ reputable stature came under scrutiny following a crushing defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Round, highlighting the team’s weak tackling technique. General Manager Howie Roseman is thus expected to be on the lookout for young, inexpensive cornerbacks to fill in the gaps.
2024 Senior Bowl’s Promising Prospects
Coincidentally, the 2024 Senior Bowl has several promising prospects in the cornerback position. One of them is Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso labeled the player as an “ideal fit” for the Eagles, considering Mitchell’s outstanding skills as a man-to-man cornerback in this year’s draft class. His impressive record of defending 45 passes and scoring six interceptions in the final three seasons with the Rockets makes him a formidable candidate.
An Unimpressive 2023 Season
The Eagles commendably started with a 10-1 lead, but their subpar secondary performance led to a dramatic downfall. Veteran cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry, despite their initial contributions, couldn’t prevent the team’s downfall. The defensive crisis was further compounded by head coach Nick Sirianni’s surprising decision to bench former defensive coordinator Sean Desai and hand over the defensive playcalling responsibilities to Matt Patricia.
New Defense Strategy and Scouting Prospects
Now, with Vic Fangio taking up the reins as the new defensive coordinator, Eagles management hinting at a potential revamp of their cornerback roster through Free Agency and NFL Draft doesn’t come as a surprise. One such player who can fulfill Eagles’ requirements and has made a mark in the draft boards is Quinyon Mitchell. Standing at 6-foot and weighing 196 pounds, Mitchell has the physique that teams look for in a cornerback player.
Mitchell showcased his talent in 2023 with 41 total tackles, one interception, and 18 pass breakups. Draft Network’s Justin Melo praised Mitchell’s ball control, stating that his exceptional record would appeal to all 32 teams. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 30th best prospect in the draft class, with a cumulative grade of 91.5.
Breaking the Draft Trend
If chosen by the Eagles, Mitchell’s selection would mark a departure from their usual drafting strategy, as the team hasn’t chosen a cornerback in the second round or higher since Sidney Jones in 2017. Taking into account the Eagles’ previous high-value investments in veterans like Bradberry, Slay, and Bradley Roby, drafting Mitchell certainly indicates a shift in their investment strategy. Mitchell’s inclusion could provide the much-needed thrust to the Eagles’ secondary, and help the team bounce back from their 2023 debacle. This story originally appeared on Heavy.com. Head [here] for the full report.