Pass Protection: Mitchell has great reaction time and athleticism which has led to him being polished in pass protection reps. He can mirror his defender’s movements, read and react and control the rusher anyway he chooses. Overall, it’s his best trait and he’s incredibly comfortable as a pass protector.
Balance: Possesses high-level balance. On tape, there were very few instances of him overextended or not being able to regather when necessary.
Hand Placement: Initial punch and hand placement are solid and Mitchell knows how to correct himself when his hands are out of place. His hands stay tight and inside, meaning that he’s not going to be susceptible to holding calls.
Power: Not a very strong tackle, but isn’t one that will be overpowered and put on his back. Mitchell needs to add more functional strength at the next level to hold up long-term.
Football IQ: Played both sides of the offensive line, showing the ability to flip his movements accordingly. Can identify blitzes and stunts adequately as well.
Anchor: Lack of functional strength can lead him susceptible as his anchor isn’t the strongest. Developing his lower half and entering an NFL strength program should help him in this regard.
Flexibility: Good ankle flexibility and loose hips allow for easy movement for Mitchell.
Versatility: Likely a swing tackle to start his career, Mitchell can play on either side of the line. In terms of versatility in regard to playing inside, I don’t think Mitchell has the necessary strength for that to be an option.
Movement Skills: Has good lateral agility in his kick slide and can climb to the second level as a run blocker to be used as a lead blocker as well. His combine tests weren’t the best, but on tape, his movement looked crisp.
Footwork/Foot Speed: Consistency is his biggest concern with his footwork. He can get jittery at times when he has to change his plan of attack in pass pro, and he can at times stop his feet when engaged.
Summary: Mitchell is still raw as a prospect but he’s further along in his development when compared to similar prospects in his tier of offensive tackle prospects. If he can put on good weight (307 pounds at the combine) and add strength to his base, he could be a solid level starter in the NFL.
Filed By: Mike Hrynyshyn, Sun Belt Area Scout
Twitter: @MikeH_Draft