Two cornerbacks drafted by Howie Roseman have turned the 2024 NFL Draft into a textbook case of talent identification. In their second seasons, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean not only earned Pro Bowl nods but also helped the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LIX and establish a new defensive benchmark.
Drafting the Future
The Eagles’ success began in April, when the team selected Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo with the 22nd pick in the first round and then moved up to the 40th pick in the second round to take Cooper DeJean out of Iowa. Both players have become core pieces of Vic Fangio’s defense and were key contributors to the team’s championship run in February.
Howie Roseman, who became the Eagles’ general manager in 2010, has never been more confident in his draft choices. He landed these two cornerbacks in back-to-back rounds less than 20 picks apart, a rare accomplishment after years of searching for homegrown defensive backs.
Pro Bowl Milestones
On Tuesday morning, Mitchell and DeJean were named to their first Pro Bowls. They are the first Eagles’ cornerbacks to make a Pro Bowl in their second NFL seasons since Hall of Famer Eric Allen in 1989, and the only other corner in Eagles history to achieve the feat in his first two years was Roynell Young in 1981.
Both players are also the first homegrown Pro Bowl corners the franchise has produced since Lito Sheppard in 2006. Roseman’s first Pro Bowl cornerbacks drafted by him, and the Eagles have not had two Pro Bowl defensive backs in the same season since Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell in 2009. The team’s last pair of Pro Bowl corners in the same season was Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor in 2002.
Statistical Excellence
Quinyon Mitchell
- Age: 24
- Regular-season interceptions: 0 in 31 games
- Pass breakups: 17 (tied for league lead)
- Targeted: 80 times
- Catch percentage: 1st (41.3 %)
- Passer rating allowed: 3rd (60.5)
- Average separation: 2nd (1.8 yards)
- YAC per reception: 2nd (2.4 yards)
The Eagles have been rotating Mitchell from side to side to maximize defensive coverage, a strategy that has demanded more from him and yielded more results.
Cooper DeJean
- Age: 22
- Super Bowl LIX highlight: Pick-6
- Games started: 15
- Interceptions: 2
- Pass breakups: 16
- Tackles: 84
- Targeted: 73 times
- Catches allowed: 42 for 504 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
- Opponent catch percentage: 57.5 %
- Opponent passer rating: 76.5
DeJean has played outside corner in the base package all season while also excelling at the nickel corner position, a role that the coaching staff believes is vital to the defense.
Coaching Perspective
Vic Fangio praised Mitchell’s consistency and work ethic. “I think it’s just been a nice process starting from his rookie year, all the way through,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “He’s a guy that works very, very hard at it, hasn’t deviated from his process, still goes through the same extra meetings that he did as a rookie. Still doing them now. That’s why he is a good player.”
When discussing DeJean, Fangio highlighted the player’s versatility. “Obviously, when we’re in base, he plays corner,” Fangio said a couple weeks ago. “So that tells you we think he’s one of our two best corners. And then nickel, we put him at the nickel spot because he plays that very, very well and it’s an important position.”
Team Impact
The combination of Mitchell’s pass-breaking ability and DeJean’s coverage versatility has strengthened the Eagles’ secondary across all defensive packages. Their presence has been integral to the team’s success in the 2024 season, providing stability and playmaking in both the base and nickel formations.
Their performance also reflects the effectiveness of Roseman’s draft strategy, which prioritizes homegrown talent that can contribute immediately and sustain long-term success.
Historical Context
Roseman’s achievement is unprecedented for the franchise. He has never before drafted two cornerbacks who both earned Pro Bowl honors in their second seasons. The Eagles’ defensive backfield has not seen such a high level of individual excellence in over three decades, underscoring the impact of these two players on the team’s identity.
The 2024 season also marked the first time the Eagles have had two Pro Bowl defensive backs in the same season since 2009, and the first time they have had two Pro Bowl corners in the same season since 2002. These milestones highlight a resurgence of defensive talent within the organization.
Key Takeaways
- Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are the first Eagles’ cornerbacks to make Pro Bowls in their second seasons since 1989.
- Both players are homegrown Pro Bowl corners, the first such pair since 2006.
- Roseman’s draft strategy has produced the first pair of Pro Bowl cornerbacks he has drafted, and the Eagles have not had two Pro Bowl defensive backs in a season since 2009.
The Eagles’ defensive backfield, led by Mitchell and DeJean, continues to be a cornerstone of the team’s success, proving that careful draft selection and player development can yield immediate and sustained results.
