Jaguars NFL Draft prospect profiles: CB Quinyon Mitchell
With the 2024 NFL Draft quickly approaching, Jaguars Wire is breaking down top prospects at positions of need for Jacksonville via individual scouting profiles.
After previously assessing Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold to fill one of Jacksonville’s biggest needs, the next prospect on our list hails from the same position: Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
NFL Combine measurements and positional percentiles via MockDraftable. Scouting reports by Jaguars Wire.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) breaks up a pass intended for Miami (OH) Redhawks wide receiver Gage Larvadain (10) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Height/weight: 6-foot and 1/8-inch (66th percentile), 195 pounds (61st percentile)
Notable NFL Combine results: 31-inch arm length (34th percentile), 75 ¾-inch wingspan (54th percentile), 4.33-second 40-yard dash (95th percentile), 1.51-second 10-yard split (73rd percentile), 38-inch vertical jump (74th percentile), 120-inch broad jump (34th percentile)
College stats (four seasons, 46 games): 122 tackles, one sack, 6.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions. 52 passes defended, one forced fumble
Scouting report: An unheralded recruit from Williston (Fla.) High School in the class of 2020, the consensus three-star Mitchell signed with Toledo as the No. 1830 prospect in the country. Now considered a first-round lock in the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s safe to say Mitchell outplayed his high school ranking with the Rockets.
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After appearing defensively in the final three games of his freshman season, Mitchell proceeded to start 40 consecutive games at cornerback for Toledo between 2021-23. He proved consistently dominant in coverage in that span, allowing a completion percentage of 44.6% over 184 targets according to Pro Football Focus, earning back-to-back Second-Team All-American honors in 2022-23.
Toledo was fully aware of the athleticism Mitchell showcased at the NFL Combine, allowing him to operate on an island frequently, with a near-89% outside cornerback utilization rate compared to 11% in the nickel and box in his career. That being said, he proved to be an effective pass rusher from the latter positioning.
The Rockets frequently deployed off-man coverage where the cornerbacks often lined up as deep as the safeties pre-snap, allowing Mitchell and his opposite running mate to capitalize on their speed and agility in space to close on short passes and ball carriers underneath, while granting good positioning to defend deeper route concepts from the jump.
As seen by his production, Mitchell capitalized on his utilization. This skill set benefitted him in zone coverage where he was required to read the quarterback, too.
Mitchell can continue to polish his press coverage and mirror-stepping skills as NFL teams will ask him to play close to the line more often than Toledo’s scheme requires. Although he has displayed physicality near the catch-point, his bump-and-run technique will need further development. That being said, he flashed promise in various coverages at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, including press.
With the cornerback position arguably atop Jacksonville’s list of needs entering the draft, Mitchell presents a high-upside option for the Jaguars to either select at pick No. 17 or in a trade-up.
There is reason to believe Mitchell will be the first cornerback off the board given his consistent career production and elite athleticism, removing any guarantee that he’ll be available when Jacksonville is set to be on the clock.
