Devonta Smith 'likes what he's seen' from Eagles rookie CB

The Eagles rebuilt their secondary this offseason after allowing the second-most passing yards per game ( 252.7 ) in the league in 2023.

Two of Philadelphia's newest additions came via the 2024 NFL Draft in first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (No. 22) and second-round cornerback Cooper DeJean (No. 40).

The team has quickly found out what it has in both players as they are forced to go up against two of the NFL's best wide receivers in A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith on a daily basis.

Mitchell has been quickly earning the respect of his new teammates.

"Today was the first day I went against him," Smith said , via Zach Berman of PHLY. "I got open and he told me my route was trash. I like it, though. He's a great guy. I like what I've seen — he's moving around a lot."

The Toledo product hasn't just made an impression on Smith, either. Brown recently said that he likes that Mitchell doesn't back down during 1-on-1 battles.

"That's me kind of picking a fight with him, trying to get him going," Brown said , via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He likes to talk trash at me. But I'm just picking a fight with him to make practices very interesting. But he's not fazed, he's not fazed."

That's a good thing because the Eagles may ask a lot of Mitchell out the gate. The 23-year-old seems to have the confidence and production to be a top cornerback.

He forced more incompletions than any other FBS cornerback over the past two seasons. From 2022-23, Mitchell posted 83 tackles, six interceptions, 37 passes defensed and two touchdowns.

Mitchell must continue proving he can hang with the league's best playmakers, but early signs point toward him doing just that. Philadelphia is hoping that's the case after making a much-needed investment in its secondary.