Cooper DeJean and His Rookie Season Showdown with the Packers

The Draft That Could Have Been
If fan opinions dictated draft picks, Cooper DeJean might have been donning the green and gold of the Green Bay Packers. During the pre-draft process, Packers fans rallied behind DeJean, praising his versatility to play both cornerback and safety—positions the team sorely needed to address. However, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst opted for Jordan Morgan instead, leaving DeJean to be scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Fast forward to the wildcard round, and fate has aligned for these two teams to clash, showcasing what could have been a Packers star versus their emerging quarterback, Jordan Love.

DeJean’s Respect for Jordan Love
As the showdown looms, DeJean has expressed admiration for the Packers’ signal-caller. Speaking on the Rear View Podcast, he lauded Love’s dynamic playmaking abilities:
“Jordan Love’s ability to create plays is incredible. He has a big arm and throws with precision deep downfield. He always finds the open guy and can deliver passes from any angle, even under pressure.”

Such praise highlights Love’s growth as a quarterback and sets the stage for a high-stakes battle between DeJean and the Packers’ offense.

A Defensive Chess Match
DeJean, primarily a slot cornerback in his rookie season, has found success in adapting to NFL challenges. His performance in zone coverage will be critical as the Eagles’ defense looks to contain Love. With Green Bay’s offense showing inconsistency against man coverage, DeJean’s ability to read and react in zone schemes adds an intriguing layer to this matchup.

“It’ll be a challenge for us on defense to contain him and keep him in the pocket,” DeJean noted. “We’ll need to stay tight in coverage as well.”

DeJean’s confidence is well-founded, considering his rookie campaign has been stellar, not just among first-year players but league-wide.

A Stellar Rookie Campaign
DeJean has been a revelation for the Eagles’ secondary. In coverage, he has allowed just an 82.2 passer rating when targeted, a standout statistic for any defensive back, let alone a rookie. His versatility has been on full display, with 550 snaps in the slot, 52 in the box, 16 on the defensive line, seven as a boundary corner, and even one as a free safety.

This adaptability underscores why DeJean has become a key player for the Eagles’ defense and why Packers fans initially hoped he’d land in Green Bay.

The Showdown Ahead
As the Eagles and Packers prepare to face off, the spotlight will be on the dynamic between Love and DeJean. For Green Bay, it’s a chance to prove their faith in their draft choices, while DeJean looks to show why he was a steal for the Eagles.

Regardless of the outcome, this wildcard battle will offer a glimpse into the futures of both franchises and highlight the importance of talent evaluation in the NFL. For now, DeJean remains focused on his task: slowing down Love and leading the Eagles’ defense to victory.