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New England Patriots: Analyzing Malcolm Mitchell-Troy Brown comparison

By Connor Fulton

Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) against the Florida Gators works out prior to the game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) against the Florida Gators works out prior to the game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Since the New England Patriots took Malcolm Mitchell with the No. 112 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Georgia product has drawn comparisons to former Patriots star wideout Troy Brown. We’re going to spend Saturday morning digging a little deeper into this comparison.

[Editor’s note: In case you missed it last summer, here is Musket Fire’s exclusive interview with the legend.]

From a purely physical standpoint, Mitchell is very similar to Brown. Mitchell is a hair under 6-foot at 5-foot-11, an inch taller than Brown’s 5-foot-10 stature. Mitchell clocks in at about 195, which is in the ballpark of what Troy Brown carried during his playing days.

Now, let’s elaborate on the similarities between Mitchell and Brown. Here is a note made by NESN’s Doug Kyed after Mitchell’s drafting:

"Georgia’s Malcolm Mitchell was compared to Patriots Hall of Fame receiver Troy Brown because of his ability to play wideout, cornerback and special teams. The scout believes Mitchell, who was selected in the fourth round, could switch to defensive back if he doesn’t work out at wide receiver for one reason or another. The Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and other teams liked Mitchell at cornerback over wide receiver."

Sound familiar? Brown was celebrated in New England for his ability to play cornerback in the 2004 season. He accumulated three picks that year while averaging just under seven yards per punt return and catching 17 passes.

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It’s very interesting that the Seahawks and Jaguars, two teams keen on excellent cornerback play from a coaching perspective, intended to use Mitchell as a cornerback. It’s often said that former receivers make excellent cornerbacks because they are so familiar with route running, shadowing comes more naturally.

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Look, the Patriots will only draft a player if he can bring more than just one talent to the table. If Mitchell can prove his worth on special teams and act as an emergency depth option at cornerback, he will be halfway toward succeeding with the Patriots (of course, he still has to catch the ball).

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Mitchell resembles Brown with his route running ability, and he will need to use that skill in the heat of training camp. Tom Brady expects his receivers to be where they are supposed to at all times, and the ones that can’t do that get the chop.

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In closing, this writer couldn’t be more excited to see what Mitchell could become for this aerial attack. He would be a wise sleeper pick for you fantasy football buffs out there.

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