7 NFL Rookies Who Could Earn Starting Jobs During the Preseason

Coming out of Toledo, Quinyon Mitchell showed the makings of being a first-year starter.

“Mitchell has the skill set to play both man and zone, but he would be best served in a zone scheme, where he can play from off coverage and see the routes develop in front of him,” B/R’s defensive backs scout Cory Giddings wrote in his scouting report. “He has the ceiling of a top-15 selection, with the potential of being a Day 1 starter and lengthy NFL career.”

That’s part of what made the 23-year-old a good target and fit with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cornerback was one of the Eagles’ biggest needs heading into the draft, as James Bradberry is coming off a down year and is in his 30s. However, the team’s first unofficial depth chart placed the rookie on the second string.

What makes Mitchell’s standing head-scratching is that Bradberry has moved to safety and two players—Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo—are both listed at the second starting cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay Jr.

The good news for Mitchell is that Rodgers only has 10 career starts in three years and missed all of last season while serving a suspension, and Ringo didn’t get much playing time as a rookie in 2023. In other words, it’s not as if Mitchell is behind a couple of well-established veterans.

With a strong showing in the preseason, he could easily move up on the depth chart. It sounds like he’s already making a strong impression on his teammates.

“I like what I’m seeing. He’s moving around a lot—playing inside, going outside—so the versatility is there, but it’s fun playing against him,” Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith said of the rookie, via NFL Media’s Michael Baca.