Quinyon Mitchell embracing battles with A.J. Brown, learning a new position originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
It might sound daunting for a rookie in his first training camp to line up across from A.J. Brown in a 1-on-1 situation.
Nah.
Eagles first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell is relishing every rep against the Eagles’ resident Pro Bowl receiver.
“Yeah, just every day I come out and I go against A.J., I 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 gonna get good work. So every chance I get to go against him, I’m just gonna compete and try to raise the bar.”
Mitchell hasn’t gotten many reps as a first-team outside cornerback during team drills so most of his reps against Brown have come in 1-on-1s and 7-on-7s. And the No. 22 overall pick from Toledo has held his own.
In fact, after one play with blanket coverage on Tuesday, the rookie even gave Brown a little stare down.
During the spring, Brown said he was shocked when the quiet rookie opened his mouth after their first rep against each other to talk a little friendly trash. That has continued into training camp, although Mitchell elected to keep the specifics 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 all I got.”
Even though the competition is stiff on the field, Mitchell and Brown are still teammates and work to help each other off it. Brown has been happy to help the rookie out with whatever tips he can provide, Mitchell said.
While Mitchell hasn’t gotten many outside corner reps with the first team — it’s mostly been Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers — he is getting time at nickel corner and in the dime package with the starters.
Mitchell played just a bit of nickel at Toledo and didn’t get reps there in the spring, so even the Eagles weren’t exactly sure what to expect.
“We just tried it,” defensive…
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