Sensational Eagles rookie has become a cheat code for NFL’s hottest defense

The Philadelphia Eagles have a budding superstar on their hands in rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

The No. 22 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft seems to get better week by week, and he put on another awe-inspiring performance in Thursday night’s 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders.

Mitchell mostly shadowed Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin throughout the game. He was so sticky in coverage that quarterback Jayden Daniels rarely looked to his favorite target, instead funneling short passes to running backs and tight ends all night long. 

McLauren wasted away on Mitchell Island. He finished the night with one reception for 10 yards, and it came late after he was mercifully able to draw a matchup against Philly’s other star rookie corner, Cooper DeJean.

Mitchell has quickly become a shutdown corner, smothering the likes of CeeDee Lamb,  Ja’Marr Chase, Malik Nabers, Amari Cooper, Mike Evans, Chris Olave and Drake London. He is yet to allow a touchdown in coverage all season, and hasn’t allowed five receptions in a game since Week 1.

While he likely won’t produce the stats necessary to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — he’s got 24 solo tackles, eight pass breakouts and is still looking for his first career interception through 10 games — Mitchell is firmly in the mix for the Pro Bowl or even an All-Pro nod this season.

In the meantime, the Eagles will enjoy using their cheat code on defense as they look to extend their win streak to seven games after the mini bye week.

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