The reaction from Micah Parsons, an All-Pro linebacker from the rival Dallas Cowboys, told a story of concern.
A video of the 2021 defensive rookie of the year watching the NFL draft went viral after the Philadelphia Eagles selected former University of Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
Parsons, part of Bleacher Report’s draft coverage, rubbed his forehead and looked forlorn, contemplating the upgraded secondary of the Cowboys’ hated NFC East foe.
“I mean, I’m honestly utterly disgusted,” Parsons said. “How lucky are the Eagles? I don’t know how he fell that far, but with this run of offensive tackles and quarterbacks, that’s the only thing that makes sense. I thought he was a top-15, top-12 talent — and he just fell right into their lap. He was definitely one of my favorite players in this draft. He checked every box.
“He’s got one of the best cornerbacks to play the game, Darius Slay, to mentor him. They still have James Bradberry, who may have not had the year like the big year he had before, but that’s still a good quality pairing. I think this is a great pick. I think this is a terrific pick. I don’t know how [Eagles general manager Howie Roseman] and them get so lucky.”
As Parsons referenced, the Eagles, rumored to be looking for a trade partner to draft Mitchell, didn’t have to because of the run on quarterbacks and 14 offensive players coming off the board with the first 14 picks of the draft. And it got even better for the Eagles in Round 2.
They nabbed Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean with pick No. 40, trading up 10 spots. How good is that for the Eagles and Roseman? Mel Kiper, Jr., had Mitchell and DeJean ranked as his two best cornerbacks in the entire draft, with both players among the top 14 overall. It’s an astounding haul at a position of need after Philadelphia allowed the second-most passing yards in the league.
“I think based on the experience that I’ve had, is that sometimes you try to get too cute and we can’t afford to get too cute,” Roseman said. “We’re trying to build the best possible team.”
On Friday, Mitchell flew to Philadelphia to tour the Eagles’ facility and meet with the staff. He will go through rookie minicamp next week and begin what’s expected to be his first season as a starter.
At 30 and coming off one of the worst statistical seasons in history, the clock is ticking on Bradberry, who allowed 11 touchdown passes in 2023, the most ever in the Stathead. His defensive passer rating was the second-worst on record among cornerbacks.
“My approach to my rookie year is to just come in and do everything they ask me to do -- play hard, play physical, be a great teammate and just work hard,” Mitchell said. “And whatever they ask me to do, to do it.”
There are no surprises when draft picks arrive on-site at their new home. Every aspect of players’ skills, bodies, and lives is researched and dissected. Mitchell was an especially known quantity to the Eagles because of Jason Candle and Nick Sirianni’s long-time friendship, as the former Mount Union teammates were college roommates. Sirianni is also close with UT defensive coordinator Vince Kehres.
“You get the information on guys,” Sirianni said. “I was able to get some of the information there, just with my ties. At the end of the day, with how good of a player he was, the thing that always coming up was how good of a teammate, how good of a person, and how hard of a worker, and how competitive he is. Those are things you want to hear.”
Unless you play for the Cowboys.
First Published April 27, 2024, 5:59 p.m.
