The Philadelphia Eagles are riding high and one of the reasons is their 2024 NFL Draft class which has contributed on both sides of the ball.  One of the players who stand out is Cooper DeJean out of the University of Iowa.

Selected with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, DeJean was projected by NFL Mocks to be a problem in the NFC East because of his versatility in the defensive backfield and the fact that he would be coached by Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

In highlighting 4 rookies who will be a problem in the NFC East Year 1, NFL Mocks delivered the following prediction about DeJean:

“Whether at corner or safety, he’ll have to compete for playing time but his versatility and playmaking skill as a difference maker will earn him snaps.  In all, the Eagles will be satisfied with Mitchell, but over thrilled with how DeJean helps improve the defensive secondary for this NFC East squad.”

Cooper DeJean had a Pro-Bowl caliber season

Fangio had a field day as his young duo of Quinyon Mitchell and DeJean combined as a top defensive back duo in the NFL.  As a tandem they helped lead an Eagles defensive resurgence in the secondary.  DeJean alone emerged as a top slot corner in the NFL and as NFL.com’s Kevin Patra highlighted in his top 2025 Pro Bowl snubs article, DeJean is a player who won’t be overlooked for long.

He writes:

“Consider DeJean a stand-in for the entire Eagles secondary, which was shut out of the Pro Bowl. The rookie has been sensational since entering the lineup in Week 6, proving to be the top slot corner in the NFL. His EPA when targeted (-28.3) is the best mark among all nickel backs and No. 2 among all defensive backs. His -0.46 EPA per target ranks second among all corners (minimum of 300 coverage snaps), behind only Pat Surtain II. DeJean is allowing a league-low 4.8 yards per target when aligned in the slot (minimum of 20 targets) and hasn’t given up a TD as a slot defender, with five passes defended. The stingy rookie has helped transform Philly’s defense under Vic Fangio. Entering Week 18, the Eagles D had allowed over one full fewer yard per pass attempt with DeJean on the field (5.6) than when he was off it (7.0).”

More NFL Draft History at NFL Mocks:

Perhaps the rookie will make more of a name for himself in the NFL playoffs, but as a high-round pick who entered the league with the size and skillset to be a versatile defender in the backfield, he has delivered as a cornerback and has the Eagles secondary set for the near future if he and Mitchell are healthy.  The scary part is DeJean is just 21 years old and will just get better and better.

In all, Cooper DeJean was picked to be a problem in the NFC East, now he’ll be a problem in the NFL playoffs.  A very good problem if you are a Philadelphia Eagles fan.