NFL Draft: Could Atlanta Falcons Select Quinyon Mitchell with No. 8 Pick?

The Atlanta Falcons need a cornerback and Quinyon Mitchell is flying up draft boards.

Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) breaks up a pass / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons are less than three weeks away from the NFL Draft and cornerback is certainly one of the team's biggest needs that will be addressed sooner rather than later.

The Falcons hold the No. 8 overall pick and they will have plenty of options to choose from, including Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who has flown up draft boards recently.

The Athletic listed Mitchell as one of the three "likeliest options" for the Falcons with the No. 8 overall pick.

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (DB27) works out during / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

"A fast climber during the draft process, Mitchell was a three-star prospect coming out of high school and played all four of his college seasons at Toledo," The Athletic writes. "He had five interceptions as a junior and was a second-team All-American as a senior."

Mitchell also recently visited the Falcons for a top-30 visit, confirming some form of interest with him.

Mitchell, 22, concluded his college career with six interceptions, five of which came in 2022, and defended 52 passes, illustrating his ball skills.

After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, Mitchell kept his stock trending upwards at the Combine, running a 4.33 40-yard dash while recording a 38" vertical jump and 10'2" broad jump. He also pumped out 20 reps on the bench press.

Mitchell offers the size, speed and skill to be an intriguing first-round option for Atlanta, be it at No. 8 overall or in a trade down.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, speaking on March 26 at the annual league meetings, spoke highly of Atlanta's cornerbacks surrounding Terrell, including Clark Phillips III, Dee Alford and Mike Hughes.

But Morris also foreshadowed the Falcons adding youth to their cornerbacks room this fall.

"We'll add some more people to that room, some more young pieces, but what I've seen on tape, I've been excited," Morris said. "I know it's an area of need for us, so to speak. But those guys played pretty well last year when you go back and look at the tape and how they played out there."

The NFL Draft is set for April 25-27.