Eagles rookie storylines for the Steelers recreation

Sunday’s Battle for Pennsylvania will pit the Eagles towards an excellent, AFC North-leading Steelers staff. With a lot expertise on either side of the ball for Pittsburgh, the Eagles might want to play 4 (and no much less!) good quarters of soccer to get their twelfth win of the season. Whereas rookies Cooper DeJean and Jalyx Hunt will get their fair proportion of snaps and a spotlight, it’s one storyline I’m notably all for: Quinyon Mitchell’s candidacy for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months.

Since Week 1, Quinyon Mitchell has lined up towards among the NFL’s high receivers, holding them to paltry and generally nonexistent numbers. The 23 yr previous defender has been probably the most dominant cornerbacks within the NFL this season. In line with Professional Soccer Focus, Quinyon Mitchell ranks eighth in receptions allowed amongst cornerbacks who’ve performed at the least 400 snaps. Amongst that very same knowledge set, Mitchell ranks ninth in completion share allowed, tenth in passer ranking when focused and fifth in go breakups. All of the whereas taking part in 510 protection snaps, which ranks tenth amongst cornerbacks.

This can be a wildly spectacular season for a rookie cornerback and the Eagles protection has benefited, rating as among the best within the league this yr. So how is he not working away with the DPOY dialog?

Fairly merely, he simply wants sexier stats. The superior metrics are nice and communicate to how he has been so, so good. It’d no be truthful however Mitchell hasn’t picked off any passes or compelled any fumbles but, and people are the numbers that may assist put him over the road for the award.

His most important competitors is Rams edge defender Jared Verse, who has 4.5 sacks and 11 TFLs by 14 video games. Spectacular numbers and that’s earlier than you get to barely extra in-depth numbers like hurries and hits, the place he ranks very extremely within the NFL as nicely.

It’s arduous. Entrance seven gamers have benefits relating to awards. Their positions ask them to be within the combine on each play and, actually, within the view of the printed digicam. Cornerback is a place the place a lot of the greatest play isn’t even seen as a result of they received’t even get focused. So there must be some flashy moments.

The Steelers passing recreation has been fairly good this yr with Russell Wilson having fun with a comeback yr underneath Arthur Smith. Sunday they may possible miss George Pickens, who has been a revelation for them this yr. Which means Quinyon Mitchell can have a barely simpler job in whomever he strains up towards. Not solely will he must shut them down, however this could possibly be a recreation the place he snags his first profession interception. Russell Wilson has been extraordinarily cautious with the ball this season, making it much more consequential if Mitchell is ready to flip the ball over for the Eagles.

It’s a little bit of an arrogance agenda. Who cares if Quinyon Mitchell wins an award if he’s pretty much as good as he’s? The final time an Eagle received any main award, moreover Comeback Participant of the 12 months, was Keith Jackson successful OPOY in 1988. It’s been 36 years! And perhaps the Eagles have one other participant who may stroll away with a serious award this season, however it might be cool to see the rookie get his flowers!