2023 BCS CB Scouting Report
Player: Cameron Mitchell
School: Northwestern
Year: RS Junior
Games Watched: Michigan 2021, Ohio State 2022
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Man Coverage: Plays mostly as the boundary CB, using off man technique. Shows the necessary foot quickness to play mirror/match. Sticky in coverage, stays in the receivers hip pocket. Will get caught looking in the backfield on occasion.
Zone Coverage: Played in zone coverage where he had deep 1/3 or 1/4 coverage. Uses side saddle bail technique and keys the QB while using his peripheral vision to relate to anything challenging his zone.
Reaction/Recovery: Shows strong recovery speed to get back in phase. Quick stop/start ability allows him to gear down on comeback and in-breaking routes.
Long speed: Shows the speed to keep up when challenged vertically. Has acceleration to recover. Doesn’t have high end top speed, but ability to turn and run won’t be a weakness at the next level.
Ball skills: Limited length affects his ability to be more impactful at the catch point. Does play through the hands and swipe at the ball throughout the catch process. 2 INTs in 35 career games. Targeted 50 times in 2022, allowed a 58% completion percentage.
Run Support: Not the most effective player due to size limitations. Listed at 6’0 195. Will to come down as a force player against closed formations. Does his best to set an edge.
COD Ability: Has a low center of gravity which allows him to transition without much trouble. Has the hips to turn and run vertically. Doesn’t take false steps when transitioning to move laterally.
Awareness: Shows solid route recognition and break anticipation in coverage. Assignment sound when playing man match against bunch and stacked sets.
Tackling: Wrap up/drag down type of tackler. Takes outside in angle coming down to fi the run. Will get caught on blocks and have trouble shedding.
Physicality/Toughness: Physically and mentally tough player. Has no issues covering on an island. Has a short memory. Doesn’t shy away from contact or physical play throughout the route stem.
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Man Coverage (15) – 13
Run Support (5) – 3
Zone Coverage (10) – 6
COD Ability (10) – 7
Reaction/Recovery (10) – 7
Awareness (10) – 6
Long speed (10) – 7
Tackling (10) – 7
Ball skills (10) – 6
Physicality/Toughness (10) – 7
Grade: 69/100 – Day 2
Summary: Cameron Mitchell will come into the NFL with a ton of reps in man coverage due to the defensive scheme he played in at Northwestern. Often he was in Cover 1 with the Safety shaded to the passing strength, essentially leaving him alone with the boundary WR. Mitchell translates to a high percentage man coverage defense, but lack of length will show up against bigger receivers. I believe Mitchell to have serious upside as a Nickel defender. he has the quickness to handle slot receivers with a 2 way go and is a willing run defender.
Report Author: EJ Holt
Twitter: @EJHolt_NFLDraft
