2024 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Slots Popular CB to Jaguars
TThe 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.
This time around, we take a look at the latest mock draft from ESPN's Mel Kiper. This is Kiper's second mock draft this cycle.
So, who does Kiper project to the Jaguars this time?
Round 1, No. 17: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
One of the most popular names connected to the Jaguars all draft season so far has been Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. A fast-riser after a dominant week at the Reese's Senior Bowl, Mitchell's stock has elevated to the Jaguars' range. The Jaguars haven't been shy about their need for cornerback help, either.
"I thought about offensive line -- the Jags ranked 29th in pass block win rate (50.6%) last season -- and wide receiver with this pick, but let's look to the defense instead. I wrote earlier that it's a strange draft, and that's especially true with the cornerbacks," Kiper said. "There's no league consensus on the No. 1 guy. Or the No. 2 guy. Or the No. 3 guy. And I don't see any going in the top 10 picks as of now. (Although we've seen before that blazing 40-yard dash times at the combine could move up defensive backs.)
"Mitchell, though, lit up Senior Bowl practices a few weeks ago, showing that his college stats are no fluke. He's rising. He was a shutdown player for the Rockets, picking off six passes while allowing quarterbacks to complete just 35.2% of their throws against him in coverage over the past two seasons. As I wrote when I added him to my Big Board, he didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage in 2023."
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.
