Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins most interested in Mike Mitchell
Carolina Panthers free safety Mike Mitchell (21) reacts during the first quarter of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers impending free agent safety Mike Mitchell is one of the hottest commodities during the legal tampering period, as several teams have already been linked to the 2013 breakout player. Mitchell emerged as a quality starting safety and key leader for the Panthers last season, and his rise was made all the more important by the early, season-ending injury to speed free safety Charles Godfrey. Mitchell is just 26, and he showed the ability to play as a free safety or strong safety.
The Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Washington Redskins have all been linked to Mitchell at some point, and the Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person reports, citing a league source, that the Eagles and Redskins are the two teams with the most interest in Mitchell.
It’s not surprising to hear that the two teams in the league with the biggest need at the safety position are interested in the hard-hitting playmaker, and Mitchell would be a very good fit for either side. The Redskins are also interested in Aqib Talib, and they could land themselves a pair of talented, physical defensive backs this offseason.
Both the Eagles and Redskins should go after a free safety who can lock things down in deep coverage, but Mitchell would still be a solid signing for either club.