 Mitchell was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round ( 25th overall ) of the 2001 NFL Draft . He was the fifth wide receiver taken in the draft . He worked out with his new quarterback Donovan McNabb in Arizona and Los Angeles before mini @-@ camp started . Because of NCAA rules regarding graduation , Mitchell was unable to attend the Eagles ' mini @-@ camp until after UCLA 's senior class graduated . He studied the Eagles ' playbook in the meantime . He asked the NFL for an exemption , but the league refused , and he arrived for his first practice on June 18 , 2001 . Mitchell signed a five @-@ year , $ 5 @.@ 5 million contract with the Eagles on July 26 , in time for the start of training camp . During training camp , Mitchell practiced as a backup behind James Thrash and Todd Pinkston . Special teams coordinator John Harbaugh asked Mitchell if he was willing to practice as a kickoff returner in practice , but Mitchell declined , citing the fracture of his femur on a kickoff return in college . Nonetheless , he still practiced on the kickoff coverage team , and on the punt coverage team as a gunner . Mitchell suffered a hip pointer during the morning session on July 31 , but returned for the afternoon session without limitation . A hamstring injury limited him at the end of training camp . Before the start of the 2001 season , head coach Andy Reid said , " Mentally , [ Mitchell is ] right there . He 's picked everything up , he 's a smart kid . He 's wide @-@ eyed , ready to learn . He 's done a nice job when he 's been in there . " 
