Raiders Draft Michael Mitchell in 2nd

Posted on April 26, 2009

Raiders Draft Michael Mitchell in 2nd

The Oakland Raiders executed a trade with the New England Patriots, slid back seven spots and gained a 4th and a 6th round pick and landed hard-hitting defensive back Michael Mitchell from Ohio University.

In 2008, he played in 11 of a possible 12 games and logged 62 total tackles (36 solo) three interceptions and five passes defensed. He also forced two fumbles and chalked up a quarterback sack.

Michael Mitchell pick a head-scratcher

The Raiders pulled another one out of their hat when they traded down in the second round and grabbed little-known safety Michael Mitchell, a player many people felt would be available on the second day but one who Oakland’s brass believes can bring a physical presence to the team’s secondary.

The Raiders selected Ohio safety Michael Mitchell (34) in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft: Mitchell Makes His Point

Ohio University safety Michael Mitchell wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he’s been drawing plenty of attention over the past two months. Find out why in this exclusive Scout.com interview feature.

A 4-8 season by the Bobcats didn’t help. Neither did the fact that he was a snubbed during the Combine selection process.

So Ohio University safety Michael Mitchell knew that he had to make a statement at his Pro Day back on March 12.

“I had decided I was going to leave no doubt that I’m going to be one of the biggest, fastest safeties on the market,” the 6-foot-1, 220-pound defensive back told Scout.com. “I looked at the day as, ‘finally here’s my chance.’ I just wanted to get in a room with guys like William Moore, Mike Hamlin and Louis Delmas and compete with those guys. But since I didn’t get to do that, my Pro Day was my chance to show that I could.”

Mitchell put forth a compelling case to the NFL scouts and coaches who gathered to watch the school’s top athletes. He reportedly ran a 4.43-second 40-time on his first attempt and followed that up with a 4.49-second time—even though he pulled up a bit at the 35-yard mark due to tweaking his hamstring. (http://ind.scout.com/a.z?s=113&p=2&c=859415)

The Raiders selected Ohio safety Michael Mitchell (34) in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

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Raiders Draft Michael Mitchell in 2nd