At a Glance
- Cooper DeJean wants to stay in the slot, not move outside
- He played 1,037 snaps, 2nd-most on the Eagles defense
- DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell made 1st-team all-pro together
- Why it matters: His versatility and leadership will be crucial as veterans depart
Cooper DeJean’s second NFL season ended with him becoming the Eagles’ youngest all-pro in 53 years, and despite outside speculation about a position change, the 22-year-old cornerback has made it clear he wants to remain in the slot.
Breakout Season
DeJean’s leap from rookie standout to elite defender was evident in his snap count. He logged 685 snaps in the slot and 245 outside when the Eagles played base defense. Adding his box snaps, his 1,037 total defensive snaps ranked second on the team, only one fewer than linebacker Zack Baun.
“Yeah, I think just becoming more comfortable on the field was the biggest thing and trusting my preparation and trusting my abilities as a player,” DeJean said last week.
He explained that as a rookie he sometimes felt intimidated lining up against household names, but that hesitancy disappeared in Year 2.
“Everybody’s just another football player on the same level that you’re on,” he said.
All-Pro History
DeJean and rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell became only the second cornerback teammates in NFL history to earn 1st-team all-pro honors in the same season. The duo’s emergence gives Philadelphia a young, elite foundation in the secondary.
Position Preference
Despite the temptation for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to slide DeJean outside full-time and insert the next-best corner in the slot, DeJean lobbied to stay inside.
“I like playing inside,” he said. “I like being involved in the run game, and I feel like I have the abilities to do that at that position. Obviously, it’s not up to me, but that’s what I’d like to do.”
Playoff Heartbreak
DeJean’s rookie year concluded with a Super Bowl victory parade up Broad Street. Year 2 ended in stark contrast: a crushing home wild-card loss that left the defense stunned.
“Just trying to use this feeling that I have right now,” he said. “I know a lot of guys feel the same way, just pushing the offseason to put that work in, to try and come back better next year and put more into it this next season so we can try and get to the top again.”
Leadership Role
Quiet by nature, DeJean nonetheless evolved into a locker-room voice during the 2024 campaign. With veterans such as Reed Blankenship, Nakobe Dean and Jaelan Phillips possibly departing in free agency, the Eagles will rely on young standouts to set the tone.
“I feel like I’ve grown as a leader and in the locker room and become more vocal,” he said. “I’m not too serious a guy, so I don’t know. I like to keep things light. But I feel like that’s my way of leading.”
He emphasized guiding first-year players through the same highs and lows he experienced as a rookie.
Remembering 2024
The cornerback said he’ll remember this roster for its resilience during a mid-season three-game losing streak that threatened playoff hopes. The team rebounded to win the NFC East before the wild-card defeat.
“There’s going to be changes,” he acknowledged. “That’s what happens in this league. Just how everybody went through the ups and downs together.”
Looking Ahead
Twelve months ago the Eagles were preparing to face the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, and DeJean’s iconic pick-six off Patrick Mahomes lay weeks ahead. Now he faces a longer offseason fueled by disappointment.
“Obviously, it’s a little different than last year,” he said. “So I’m going to take some time, let the body heal a little bit, and then get back to work.”
DeJean plans to use the extra rest to recover from the grind of a 1,000-plus snap season before ramping up preparations for 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Cooper DeJean cemented himself as one of the NFL’s most versatile defenders
- His preference to stay in the slot gives the Eagles flexibility when constructing the 2025 secondary
- The 22-year-old has embraced a leadership role as veteran turnover looms
- Philadelphia’s defense will build around DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell after their historic all-pro season
