James Mitchell was a standout basketball and football player in high school where he earned all-state honors in all four seasons. He emerged as a playmaker for the Hokies in 2019 and 2020 and was primed for a monster season in 2021 but it was cut short after just two games. Mitchell suffered a knee injury that required season-ending surgery but still declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. Mitchell is a versatile player that profiles as an F tight end in the NFL where he can be moved around the formation and used in a variety of ways. Mitchell is a smooth athlete with terrific hands, ball skills, and body control. He took full advantage of the spacing within the Hokies offense and made his share of plays after the catch. An insanely versatile player, Mitchell was used in-line, flexed to the slot, out of the backfield, as a punt returner, special teams blocker, and emergency quarterback at Virginia Tech. His versatility brings notable value to him as a prospect. When it comes to areas of concern, Mitchell will need to expand his route tree and take significant strides as a blocker in the run game. As it stands, he lacks the power, mass, and technique to be consistent in creating movement and sustaining blocks. He will also need to prove he is healthy following the knee injury in 2021. Mitchell has a chance to be a unique player at the next level that would thrive in a spread offense where he can be used all over the formation, but there is development needed.

Ideal Role: F tight end

Scheme Fit: Spread

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino 

Games watched: North Carolina (2020), Louisville (2020), Virginia (2020), Pittsburgh (2020), North Carolina (2021)

Best Game Studied: North Carolina (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Virginia (2020)

Hands: Mitchell has demonstrated consistent hands at Virginia Tech and regularly snatches the football away from his frame. He does a great job of extending and adjusting to the football and maximizing his catch radius. He is extremely focused at the catch point and is reliable.

Route Running: Mitchell will need to expand his route tree at the next level given his projection as a versatile weapon. He made good adjustments and took advantage of spacing opportunities within the Hokies scheme. He has the athletic profile that suggests he can become an adequate route-runner in the NFL but there is growth needed.

Versatility: See Above.

Competitive Toughness: I love the way Mitchell competes with the ball in his hands and at the catch point. While he’s a more than willing blocker, he just hasn’t been effective and frequently falls off blocks and struggles to sustain. His willingness to embrace so many different roles speaks to his competitive toughness.

Ball Skills: See Above.

Blocking Skills: Mitchell is a willing blocker with good temperament but he’s just not effective. Expecting him to create significant push in the run game or isolating him against defensive ends in pass protection won’t be his strong suit. He can find some success with body positioning and angles, but widening gaps isn’t in his wheelhouse. He has to get stronger and find technique.

Football IQ: The versatility Mitchell offers is incredibly unique—in-line tight end, big slot, out of the backfield, taking hand-offs, punt returner, and emergency quarterback. That’s rare. And while he isn’t going to do all of those things with any degree of consistency at the next level, the fact that he at least did them in college speaks to a smart football player. He has good spatial awareness.

RAC Ability: Mitchell has been a strong producer after the catch in college, collecting an average of more than 10 yards after the catch per reception. He’s a good athlete and benefitted from the scheme and how he was used, taking full advantage of his opportunities to run and catch.

Pass Protection: Mitchell is a far better pass blocker than run blocker. He’s effective at chipping and working rushers beyond the peek of the pocket. He is sufficient but will need to get stronger and develop his footwork/hand usage to find success at the next level.

Big Play Ability: Collecting more than 10 yards after the catch per reception and averaging more than 16 yards per catch in college speaks to his big-play potential. He’s a smooth and controlled athlete that offers consistency in how he can produce offense.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 71.50/100 (Fifth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 72.00/100

Marino Grade: 71.00/100