This week feels like everyone is focused on the cornerback position and where the NFL ranks some of the top guys like Philadelphia Eagles cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Sports Illustrated named Mitchell and DeJean as the top cornerback duo in the NFL, while league executives, coaches, and scouts participated in ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler's survey of the top 10 cornerbacks, where Mitchell landed at number six and DeJean was 10th. Well, former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who knows both All-Pro corners well from their time together in 2024, shared his top five NFL cornerback list on ESPN and put Mitchell at number four.
"That's my dude, man. He had great ball production in the playoffs, but regular season, he gonna start catching them, man. I'm telling you, he's going to catch them. But in the playoffs, he's doing very well, man. Holding his own. All-Pro this year, so I'm proud of him."
Darius Slay has Quinyon Mitchell in the top five among best CBs in the NFL
Most Eagles fans can live with that ranking from Slay, as it feels fair compared to the survey ESPN conducted among NFL employees. Mitchell has to be a top-five cornerback in this league, but the lack of interceptions in the regular season continues to hold him back from being elite.
Last season, Mitchell had a great season, racking up 45 tackles, 17 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery in 16 games. Everyone has to remember, though, that Mitchell is not getting targeted as much, as he averages 5.5 targets per game and allowed a 44.3% completion percentage out of 88 passes thrown his way.
There isn't a corner in the NFL who is playing at that kind of level as Mitchell. Sure, he may not have an interception in 32 regular season games, but he's got four picks in five playoff matches. When it matters the most, fans shouldn't worry, as Mitchell will force turnovers for his team.
Hesitancy is shown with Mitchell and crowning him as the top cornerback in the NFL due to the fact that he has been playing for just two years. It feels as though the former Toledo product has to go at it another season before earning the trust of the league.
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Mitchell has shown enough to Eagles fans that he is a true shutdown corner and the best in the NFL, so the rest of the league will play catch-up in 2026.
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