Trade News: Vikings Eyeing Athletic Playmaker in Draft, Insider Say
The Minnesota Vikings dominated the cornerback position in last week’s Senior Bowl, and no draft prospect made a bigger impression than Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell.
The Vikings named several staff members to coach for the Senior Bowl, including defensive pass coordinator Daronte Jones and assistant cornerbacks coach Michael Hutchings. According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Jones and Hutchings worked directly with Mitchell last week and the teenager put in one of the most impressive performances of the weekend, establishing himself as the best defender on the pitch.
Mitchell, who was rated the No. 1 tight end by Pro Football Focus last season, met with the Vikings and said he likes Jones and Hutchings. “They were really good,” Mitchell told The Athletic. “It’s really technical, but it’s good for us.”
In a Feb. 1 article, Lewis explained the importance of working with the players at the Senior Bowl. “At both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, teams invite players for interviews. The Q&A format can vary in depth depending on the player’s position and team. However, often the players’ reactions are prepared and rehearsed in advance. True perspective is harder to come by,” Lewis wrote. Getting the first taste of Mitchell’s coaching is a valuable insight the Vikings have on other teams and will be important in evaluating the Vikings.
When asked about the discount, Jones said, “Oh, yeah.” “You get to spend quality time with (these players). You can see him during meetings, in the market and in restaurants. “I’m not that stressed.”
Quinyon Mitchell is a good fit for Vikings Running Back Brian Flores.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Mitchell’s 4.3-second 40-yard dash combined with his speed make him a nightmare in man coverage. He set a Toledo record for a defense with 46 interceptions over four years (including six games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season). Mitchell also shines in the more complex coverage demands of the NFL, fitting perfectly into Flores’ scheme.
From Lewis:
Additionally, Mitchell played match coverage, which starts as zone and turns into man, depending on the route the receiver runs. This responsibility requires a seamless application of rule memorization to on-field application. Most NFL teams, including the Vikings, ask for this depth of understanding from their cornerbacks.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores utilizes “hot coverage,” which mandates corners maintain eye position on the quarterback and react swiftly once the ball is snapped. Vikings cornerbacks Byron Murphy Jr., Akayleb Evans and Mekhi Blackmon successfully navigated this complexity at times during the 2023 season. Murphy and Blackmon, though, are better suited for slot responsibility, while Evans’ inconsistency during the back half of the season leaves some uncertainty surrounding his long-term viability on the outside.
That’s where a player of Mitchell’s caliber could fit in. That is if the Vikings don’t opt to jump up for a quarterback or add to their defensive front. Free agency and draft circumstances will likely affect the Vikings’ path, but they’re doing their due diligence in the meantime.
In addition to his reporting ability, Mitchell has shown a penchant for making big plays. In 2022, he threw five interceptions. But the ball-stealing mentality led to an overly aggressive game, and playing in a non-Power 5 conference also hurt his draft value.
The Vikings could sign Quinyon Mitchell without using a first-round pick.
The Vikings have an opportunity to land a real difference maker with the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft. Executing this pick for Mitchell is considered an action at this point in the evaluation process.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Mitchell as the sixth-best quarterback in the draft and 36th in the top-50. Mitchell’s performance in the Senior Bowl put him in first-round territory, but he looks more like a roster fit than a true No. 1 cornerback. 1.
That could help the Vikings, who had a similar cornerback in Mehi Blackmon a year ago. Mehi Blackmon makes sense because of his size. The Vikings could sit at No. 11 and pick a quarterback late in the first round and trade back for Mitchell.
Mitchell’s first-round selection would benefit from a fifth-year contract option with potential upside.
