With Cameron Mitchell, the Browns may have found their slot corner of the future.
The play of both RT Dawand Jones and WR Cedric Tillman has been the highlight of the Cleveland Browns’ 2023 NFL Draft class, but it appears that another player has started to stand out as well toward the end.
The Browns’ uncertainty at the slot corner position going into 2023 led them to select CB Cameron Mitchell in the fifth round of this year’s draft. Not only did Greg Newsome express his dissatisfaction with taking on the role in 2022, but he also performed poorly. He isn’t very good at the point of attack against the run, and he was routinely bullied by bigger tight ends or slot receivers. He has more than demonstrated this season that he is a much better player on the outside.
Throughout the season, Mitchell has excelled on special teams, demonstrating his physicality and ability to tackle on a regular basis. Because of the significant amount of contact that comes with the role compared to playing in a traditional field or boundary cornerback role, this is one of the most underappreciated aspects of playing in the slot.