Since stepping into the starting lineup after the Eagles’ bye week, rookie Cooper DeJean has been a standout performer. Far more than just the cover corner many anticipated from his college days at Iowa, DeJean has proven himself as a versatile defender. He’s consistently made critical tackles and taken on challenging assignments against top receivers, helping transform the Eagles’ defense into one of the league’s best recently.
His impressive play has drawn attention from major analysts. Ben Solak from ESPN noted, “DeJean has been one of the most impressive rookies I’ve seen all season, with a veteran-like awareness in both route coverage and closing downhill.” Solak went on to say that DeJean won more matchups against Ja’Marr Chase on Sunday than most players manage in a long time. His crucial fourth-down stop in the game against the Bengals was pivotal, shifting the momentum in the Eagles’ favor. With his coverage grade climbing, the Eagles are likely thrilled with DeJean’s impact. If he keeps up this level of play, Philadelphia may soon have two of the top young cornerbacks in the league, with Quinyon Mitchell complementing him.
