One of the most dominant debut seasons by an NFL cornerback in recent memory got some well-deserved recognition on Thursday.
In an offseason poll of NFL executives, scouts and coaches compiled by ESPN, ascending Philadelphia Eagles star Quinyon Mitchell was named among the NFL’s top 10 cornerbacks entering the 2025 season.
Mitchell, 24, was the youngest player on ESPN’s top-10 list, coming in at No. 9 overall. His dynamite rookie campaign in 2024 included an elite passer rating of 80.2 when targeted, and his more than 1,000 snaps as an outside cornerback included matchups with CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin, Ja’Marr Chase and Drake London. Mitchell was especially huge for Philadelphia in the playoffs, battling through a shoulder injury and notching the first two interceptions of his career en route to Super Bowl LIX.
Perhaps most notable, the league execs polled by ESPN ranked Philly’s young star ahead of prominent veterans like Jalen Ramsey, Trevon Diggs and Marlon Humphrey. Cooper DeJean, the Eagles’ other rookie corner in 2024 who made a similar impact to Mitchell as Philly’s starting nickel, received votes but landed outside of ESPN’s “honorable mentions.”
“Mitchell was stellar in the predraft process in 2024 and continued that momentum throughout his rookie season,” ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler wrote. “When a receiver catches a pass in Mitchell’s vicinity, he doesn’t go far. Mitchell allowed an average of 1.5 yards after catch as the nearest defender in coverage last season, the fewest by any player with at least 30 targets. The next closest was Surtain at 1.9. In three playoff games, Mitchell allowed seven yards after the catch on five receptions.”
His biggest thing is confidence. He barely played press in college but got in people’s pockets. He got really good at that.
— NFL passing game coordinator on Eagles’ Quinyon Mitchell, per ESPN
The Eagles saw enough from Mitchell last season to justify cutting ties with Darius Slay Jr. The team also let Isaiah Rodgers walk in free agency for a modest two-year deal with the Vikings, leaving Mitchell, DeJean and third-year pro Kelee Ringo as the expected starters entering training camp.
Again, this is well-deserved recognition for Mitchell and the Eagles, who could potentially have two players in these top 10 rankings in 2026.
MORE EAGLES NEWS:
