Quinyon Mitchell embracing battles with AJ Brown, learning a new position

Quinyon Mitchell embracing battles with AJ Brown, learning a new position originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

It might seem scary for a rookie in his first training camp to line up with AJ Brown in a one-on-one situation.

No.

Eagles first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell is enjoying every rep against the Eagles’ resident Pro Bowl receiver.

“Yeah, every day I go out and go against AJ, just try to compete,” Mitchell said after Tuesday’s practice. “I mean, he’s one of the best in the game, so I know I’m going to get a good job. So, whenever I can against him, I will compete and try to raise the bar.”

Mitchell didn’t get many reps as a first-team outside cornerback during the team’s workouts, so most of his reps against Brown were at 1-on-1 and 7-on-7. And Toledo’s 22nd overall pick held his own.

In fact, after a play in blanket coverage on Tuesday, the rookie even looked at Brown.

During the spring, Brown said he was shocked when the quiet rookie opened his mouth after the first rep against each other to talk some friendly trash. This continued into training camp, although Mitchell chose to keep the details of this trash talk to himself.

“It’s all about competing,” Mitchell said. “He’s one of the best in the game, so I’m going to give him everything I have.”

Even though the competition is fierce on the field, Mitchell and Brown are still teammates and work to help each other. Brown was happy to help the rookie with any tips he could give, Mitchell said.

While Mitchell hasn’t gotten many outside corner reps with the first team — particularly Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers — he is getting time at nickel corner and in the dime package with the starters.

Mitchell only played some nickel at Toledo and didn’t get reps there in the spring, so even the Eagles weren’t sure what to expect.

“We just tried,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “We just put it in there and tested it and it looked good.”

Mitchell has been working out at all three locations this summer and appears comfortable at each of them. He’ll probably still have a legitimate shot at earning a starting role outside of cornerback, but Ringo and Rodgers look pretty good. Either way, it’s clear the Eagles will find a way to get him on the field when the regular season begins.

Even though Mitchell didn’t know the Eagles would face him this summer, he accepted the challenge.

“No, I didn’t know,” he said. “But they threw it at me, so I thought, let’s take it, let’s do it.”

It’s worth noting that fellow rookie Cooper DeJean has missed all of training camp so far due to a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks. Some of those nickel reps could have gone to DeJean if he was healthy, but he’s a little behind right now.

Mitchell’s main competition for the nickel job appears to be current Avonte Maddox, who has taken the most reps with the first team at that position in five practices. Maddox is also working as a safety on the second and third teams.

Even though Maddox is struggling to maintain his position, he is still a good teammate.

“I probably ask him the most questions out of anyone, between (Darius) Slay and (James) Bradberry as well,” Mitchell said. “I ask him questions all the time and he is very helpful. He is not intimidated and gives me all the answers I need.”

Mitchell is taking that advice and making the most of it.

There’s still a long way to go in Mitchell’s rookie training camp, but he’s been impressive so far. His battles with Brown became unmissable moments and his versatility was also evident.

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