3 Best defensive back options for Colts in 2024 NFL Draft
The secondary figures to be a big point of emphasis in Indy next weekend.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
2023 stats: 13 games, 27 receptions (62 targets), 1 INT, 51.1 Passer RTG
One of the best things about Mitchell is how much experience he has: in the last three seasons, the Toledo CB has played in 40 games. And in each of those seasons, he's played at least 500 snaps – in two of the three, he's played at least 700.
He's also arguably the best playmaking corner in this year's class. According to Pro Football Focus, no cornerback in FBS forced more incompletions over the last two seasons. He has stellar grades in both man and zone coverage, and had five interceptions in 2022. He only had one interception in 2023, but it wasn't for lack of opportunity – PFF credited for three dropped interceptions this year.
As a team last year, the Colts' ranked 14th in interceptions. Julian Blackmon led the team with four, Kenny Moore had three, and no one else had more than two. In fact, Moore was the only cornerback on the team to have multiple picks. So basically, someone with the ball skills that Mitchell has would fit right in. He probably won't be there in the 2nd round, but if DeJean is already gone at 15, Mitchell would be as good a backup plan as you can have.