Top CB Target Could Be Raising Stock Out of Steelers Range

One of the top targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 2024 Senior Bowl was Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, but a strong week in Mobile might have the hype for the MAC product lifting him out of the Steelers’ reach in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Mitchell came into the week as one of the more intriguing prospects, as a potential first-round pick that did not play against Power Five-level completion in college. Mitchell took to the challenge just fine, having one of the best weeks of any cornerback in the three days of practice before skipping the game itself.

The Steelers sent scouts to Toledo games on multiple occasions this fall, so he was clearly already on their radar before they got to Mobile, and head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that interest by keeping a close eye on Mitchell during the individual drills.

Scouting Report: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell a Perfect Fit for Steelers

But Mitchell’s strong showing against the top competition in Mobile might have taken him out of the Steelers’ range in the 2024 NFL Draft. Mitchell was the consensus 27th overall pick, according to the NFL Mock Draft Database, before the Senior Bowl.

Now, he’s one of the hottest prospects in the first round, rising to his current position of 15th, five spots ahead of the Steelers.

“Quinyon Michell is just so physical,” ESPN analyst Matt Miller said in a conference call with Steelers Now this week. “If you had to pick a winner from the Senior Bowl, I think it would be him, just because you watch his tape at Toledo and you’re like OK, this guy is dominating this level of play. How is he going to look against Power Five guys for a week? And he dominated everybody there. So what he can do in press coverage at the line is great, and also he has the speed to turn around with these guys.”

The NFL Combine in Indianapolis, which starts next week, will always tell a big part of the story for when and where defensive backs get drafted. But if Mitchell impresses as much on the track as he did on the field at the Senior Bowl, the Steelers should probably start making other plans for their first-round pick, unless they want to trade up to get their guy.