2024 NFL Draft: Daniel Jeremiah Projects Popular CB to Jaguars
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to be a big one for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville is equipped with nine picks in April's draft, with extra picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. And after a disappointing 9-8 campaign in 2023, the Jaguars will need to make the best use of those picks.
As such, we will keep up with major mock drafts from draft experts throughout the offseason.
Next up, we take a look at NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah's second mock of the draft cycle.
"With the start of the NFL Scouting Combine just around the corner, here's my second projection of the year for Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. I'm anxious to see official testing numbers from this year's crop of prospects at the combine. We will have some risers and fallers coming out of Indianapolis, like we do every year, and then the start of free agency will further shake things up," Jeremiah said.
Last month, Jeremiah mocked Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell to the Jaguars at No. 17. But what about this time around?
Round 1, No. 17: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
For the second time in as many months, Jeremiah has the Jaguars going with the high-upside cornerback who is rising across boards after a dominant week at the Reese's Senior Bowl.
"The Jaguars need to get better in the secondary. Mitchell provides a nice mix of consistency, elite speed, toughness and instincts," Jeremiah said.
A Florida native, Quinyon Mitchell was ranked a three-star recruit by 247Sports. He was ranked the No. 1,747 recruit in the 2020 recruiting class, the No. 155 cornerback recruit, and the No. 243 recruit in Florida. Mitchell committed to Toledo over offers from Illinois, Alcorn State, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama, South Dakota, and USF.
Mitchell played in six games as a true freshman in 2020, recording seven tackles. In 2021, Mitchell started 13 games and recorded eight passes defended, 34 tackles, and a forced fumble.
In 2022, Mitchell led the country in passes defended with 25 and earned first-team All-MAC and third-team All-American after also recording five interceptions, 41 tackles, and four tackles for loss.
Mitchell ended his college career with a strong senior season, being named a second-team All-American and first-team All-MAC after 18 pass breakups, one interception, 41 tackles, and two tackles for loss. Mitchell ended his college career as Toledo's all-time leader in career pass breakups with 46.
If drafted in the first round, Mitchell would be Toledo's first player to be selected in the first round since Dan Williams was the No. 11 pick in 1993.
Mitchell has become a popular name to link to the Jaguars, even with starting cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams still under contract. Each corner is entering a contract year, however, and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen made it clear how vital coverage is at his introductory press conference earlier this month.
