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Cooper DeJean

Eagles’ Cooper DeJean To Take Over As Primary Nickel Corner

October 13th, 2024 at 11:31am CST by Rory Parks

A key component of the Eagles’ offseason plan to overhaul their secondary is about to realize a spike in playing time. PHLY’s Zach Berman noted earlier this month that rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean was “closing in” on the starting slot cornerback job, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported that he expects DeJean to take over slot duties for the team’s Week 6 date with the Browns (subscription required).

Philadelphia, whose porous secondary torpedoed their hopes of defending their NFC title in 2023, selected cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 22 overall pick of this year’s draft, and then added DeJean 18 picks later. While Mitchell has operated as a starting boundary corner from the jump, it has taken a little longer for DeJean to crack the starting lineup (though four games, he has appeared in just eight defensive snaps but 75 special teams snaps).

That is not terribly surprising, as DeJean sustained a fractured fibula last November that ended his collegiate career prematurely and kept him on the NFI list for the first several weeks of training camp. Though the Iowa product is valued for his ability to line up at both safety and corner, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently indicated that the club would have him focus his efforts on the nickel for the time being.

The presumptive promotion for DeJean will lead to a demotion for longtime Eagle Avonte Maddox. Released in a cost-cutting move this offseason only to be brought back via a modest one-year pact, Maddox has struggled in his familiar slot role, and Pro Football Focus presently grades him as the ninth-worst corner in the league out of 101 qualified players. The team initially planned to convert him to safety, and now that DeJean is healthy – and, per Fowler, “all caught up” with Fangio’s scheme – perhaps those plans will be put back into place.

The Philadelphia defense as a whole is in the bottom-10 in terms of both total yardage and passing yards allowed, so a shake-up is in order, and the team took advantage of its Week 5 bye to make some changes. This week’s release of linebacker Devin White was a part of those efforts, and replacing Maddox with the high upside of DeJean is another. 

NFC Injury Updates: Eagles, Davis, Lewis, Carlson

September 27th, 2024 at 9:52pm CST by Ely Allen

The Eagles are going to be forced to make a long-term switch on special teams after punt returner Britain Covey told reporters yesterday that he suffered a broken scapula. According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Covey is likely to miss around six weeks recovering from the injury.

Covey hasn’t had too many return opportunities this season. The team as a whole has only returned two punts this season, with Covey logging only one of those for nine yards. The only other return came from second-round rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, who gained six yards on a return last week in New Orleans as he stepped in after Covey’s injury. DeJean has played sparsely on defense so far this year, but it looks like his impact on special teams will be taken to the next level over the next several weeks.

Covey’s presence will also be missed on offense, where he’s third in the receivers room in receptions and yards this year. With Covey joining Ainias Smith and Jacob Harris on injured reserve, that leaves four receivers on the active roster. DeVonta Smith is set miss the team’s next contest with a concussion, so Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, and rookie Johnny Wilson will be asked to step up alongside A.J. Brown.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFC:

  • Saints linebacker Demario Davis is playing in his 13th NFL season. This weekend, the veteran defender will miss the first game of his career due to injury. Davis had one absence back in 2021 due to COVID-19, but Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports that a hamstring injury will keep Davis from playing for the first time in his long career.
  • On Wednesday, we reported an elbow injury for Panthers starting left guard Damien Lewis. Initial reports predicted at least a one-game absence, but the veteran guard will endeavor to not miss any time. Per Joe Person of The Athletic, Lewis suffered a UCL tear in his left elbow. If he were a left-handed quarterback, Lewis would require surgery, but there’s a chance Carolina doesn’t see any missed time from their lineman, who will try to play through the injury.
  • Tight end Stephen Carlson‘s stint on the Bears‘ active roster was a short one. After being promoted from the practice squad three days ago, Carlson suffered a significant collarbone injury on the last play of practice yesterday, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Cronin predicts that an IR-stint is in Carlson’s future.

Latest On Eagles CB Cooper DeJean

September 27th, 2024 at 9:59am CST by Adam La Rose

When Cooper DeJean was drafted, he joined an Eagles secondary which underwent a number of changes in 2024. The second-rounder played at both corner and safety during his college tenure, but the team has narrowed down his role for the time being.

“Yeah, right now he’s the backup nickel,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia). “For the first week, he was starting in dime, as the dime DB. So he was having to learn the dime and be the backup nickel. With all the time he’s lost, we’re going to focus him at nickel right now and see if he can make good enough progress there.”

DeJean exceled at Iowa while wearing multiple hats for the team’s defense. He totaled seven interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns) across his final two years with the Hawkeyes, earning All-American honors in 2023. A fractured fibula ended DeJean’s season and left him on the mend until August, which limited his time during training camp ahead of his rookie campaign.

Fangio confirmed during the summer DeJean would be used at corner rather than safety, but whether or not he would be used on the inside remained to be seen at that time. First-rounder Quinyon Mitchell has, as expected, started each of Philadelphia’s first three games while playing on the boundary opposite veteran Darius Slay. Avonte Maddox – who was released in March but returned to the team one month later – has logged a 78% snap share in the slot so far, and he will continue to be relied on in a first-team role while DeJean develops.

After posting defensive stops was akin to pulling teeth for much of the 2023 campaign, revamping the secondary was a key Eagles offseason priority. Both Mitchell and DeJean are positioned to be central figures in the team’s pass defense (which currently sits 17th in the NFL) for years to come. The latter has only logged seven defensive snaps to date, but he has handled a notable special teams workload during that time. With Maddox attached to a one-year deal, DeJean could find himself in the starting lineup by next season after an extended period working at one position.

Latest On Eagles’ Secondary

August 25th, 2024 at 6:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Avoiding a repeat of last year’s defensive collapse was a top priority for the Eagles this offseason. Efforts on that front included several moves affecting the secondary, a unit which will look much different in 2024 than it did in 2023.

Each of Philadelphia’s top two draft picks were used on cornerbacks. The first of those – Quinyon Mitchell – has impressed during his first NFL training camp. The Toledo alum was one of the top prospects at his position this year, and he has long been expected to serve as an immediate starter with the Eagles.

Mitchell has seen time on the outside this summer, but as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, he has also been used in the slot in other packages. The 23-year-old is thus in line for a workload keeping him on the field for all three downs during his rookie campaign, a sign of confidence the team has in him but also of the lack of proven options Philadelphia has at nickel. Avonte Maddox was released and later brought back this offseason, but The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena writes he has transitioned to safety in 2024 (subscription required).

Mitchell being used on the inside could lead to considerable playing time for Cooper DeJean, the Eagles’ second-round selection. Upon returning to health from the fractured fibula which ended his decorated college career, the Iowa alum has represented another contributor at multiple secondary spots. DeJean played corner as well as safety during his time with the Hawkeyes, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed (via Kubena) he was selected with the intention of being used at cornerback.

DeJean’s workload at the start of the season could be limited considering the practice time he missed before being activated from the NFI list earlier this month. Still, having him as an option on the perimeter opposite Darius Slay will provide the Eagles with valuable flexibility in the secondary once he is up to speed. The Slay-Mitchell-DeJean trio is set to serve as the nucleus of Philadelphia’s CB room for at least the next few years.

James Bradberry operated as a corner during each of his two Eagles campaigns, but this offseason saw him begin working at safety – a move he suggested. That transition likely had his roster security in mind, but Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes Bradberry could still be a trade chip while roster-cutting season takes place. The 31-year-old struggled mightily in coverage last season, and he is on the books for two more years. The first void year of his pact also calls for a cap hit just under $21MM, so it would come as a surprise if Bradberry were to draw major interest on the trade market.

In any case, Philadelphia’s secondary – which of course also includes C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety once again – will face high expectations for the 2024 campaign. The team’s ability to succeed under Fangio will dictate much of their overall performance this year, and the play of the revamped cornerback room in particular will be worth watching closely.

Eagles Activate DB Cooper DeJean

August 13th, 2024 at 1:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles’ new-look secondary should be at full strength in time for the start of the regular season. Second-round rookie Cooper DeJean was activated from the active/NFI list on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

Philadelphia’s ability to improve against the pass compared to 2023 will be key factor in the team’s success this season. DeJean figures to have a role in that regard, even if he does not earn a starting gig right away. The Iowa product has experience at both corner and safety dating back to his college career, one which ended with a fractured fibula. That ailment delayed his pre-draft workouts but it did not do much damage to his stock. He had been rehabbing a hamstring injury prior to today’s activation.

DeJean was selected with the No. 40 pick, Philadelphia’s second selection (and one which the team traded up to acquire). The first was used on cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who is likely to handle first-team duties during his rookie campaign. Mitchell is capable of playing on the boundary opposite Darius Slay or in the slot, a spot typically reserved for Avonte Maddox. James Bradberry remains in the fold, but he is transitioning from corner to safety.

The Eagles brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, and he is set to log a heavy workload at safety. Philadelphia also has Mekhi Garner and Sydney Brown at that spot, although they are all dealing with injuries for the time being. Caden Sterns was added this weekend, so DeJean will have plenty of competition for playing time if he is used at safety upon returning to action.

The All-American racked up seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups over the past two years, demonstrating his production when healthy. DeJean will now have a brief stretch to prepare himself for his NFL debut in Week 1. He indicated (via PHLY’s Zach Berman) the Eagles’ third preseason game is a realistic target to return to action in advance of playing at full health in September.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/24

July 23rd, 2024 at 8:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OT Julién Davenport

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Reverted to IR: WR Jared Wayne
  • Released from IR: WR Jaxon Janke

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Isaiah Rodgers In Mix To Start For Eagles; Team Considering James Bradberry Move To Safety

June 17th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles decided to let both their Super Bowl LVII safety starters walk in free agency last year. That decision created issues for a defense that cratered down the stretch. A year later, Philadelphia’s secondary appears much deeper.

Part of the reason the Eagles can feel more comfortable about their DB contingent comes from a roster-stash move they made last summer. As teams were considering which players they would cut as the deadline to move down to 53 loomed in late August, the Eagles quietly added Isaiah Rodgers, a young kick returner who worked as a Colts CB starter in 2022. Of course, Rodgers was sidelined throughout last season due to a gambling ban that stemmed from extensive violations of the NFL’s policy. A year later, Rodgers may come out in better position.

Although the former sixth-round pick missed his age-25 season, he has a clear path to a rebound window ahead of what may well be a more notable free agency stay in 2025. Rodgers has been “a revelation” this offseason, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, and The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena notes the Eagles gave the three-year Colt a significant number of first-team reps during minicamp (subscription required). Despite the Eagles still rostering Darius Slay and James Bradberry and the team having re-signed Avonte Maddox not long after making him a cap casualty, it has bolstered its CB group with a host of younger talents.

Rodgers started nine games with the Colts in 2022, playing opposite Stephon Gilmore, and made an impression in part-time duty. Pro Football Focus ranked Rodgers as the NFL’s fifth-best cornerback that year. This assessment came on just 283 defensive snaps, but the 170-pound defender recovered four fumbles that year and also intercepted three passes in 2021. Training camp figures to be pivotal for Rodgers, who saw the Eagles devote the most important part of their draft to the cornerback position.

Philly drafted Quinyon Mitchell in Round 1 and Cooper DeJean in Round 2. DeJean is viewed as a corner/safety hybrid at this juncture, Breer adds, but Mitchell certainly will be treated as a hopeful long-term starter at corner. The Eagles also gave plenty of first-team reps to 2023 fourth-round pick Kelee Ringo during minicamp, Kubena adds. Ringo logged 199 defensive snaps last season, which still featured the Slay-Bradberry tandem as the CB group’s leaders.

Slay is going into his age-33 season, and his three-year, $39MM deal does not feature any 2025 guarantees. Bradberry re-signed on a three-year, $38MM pact in 2023 but could not follow up his strong ’22 campaign with impressive work last season. PFF rated Bradberry 100th at the position in 2023. The Eagles have made an effort to begin cross-training Bradberry at safety, and Breer adds the team is toying with moving the ninth-year vet to a back-line spot on a full-time basis. No guarantees remain on Bradberry’s deal post-2024.

As a few Hall of Famers have shown, corner-to-safety moves are not too uncommon. This one would come ahead of Bradberry’s age-31 season. The Eagles brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson after his year in Detroit and still roster 2023 starter Reed Blankenship. Sydney Brown, a 2023 third-rounder, is rehabbing an ACL tear sustained in Week 18. He is a candidate to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list.

Even with Brown potentially out of the mix to start the season, the Eagles’ secondary should have more options compared to 2023. Rodgers and/or Ringo entering Week 1 as viable starter candidates would likely prompt the Eagles to strongly consider Bradberry at safety, depending on how the career-long boundary corner looks in training camp, with DeJean an interesting wild card here. A depth-based trade could conceivably come into play as well.

The Eagles submitted one of the more notable collapses in recent NFL history last season, with the defense playing the lead role in the unraveling. This figures to be an interesting season for three-time reigning playoff qualifiers, as the Slay-Bradberry-Maddox-CJGJ group intersects with a host of younger options that will be expected to take over down the line.

It is not certain if Rodgers will be part of that long-term collection, as he will be a free agent next year. But the UMass alum has a path to re-emerging after seeing the gambling scandal quickly overshadow his rookie-contract Colts contributions.

Eagles Sign Second-Round CB Cooper DeJean

May 20th, 2024 at 1:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Entering Monday, the Eagles had only two unsigned members of their draft class. One of them – second-rounder Cooper DeJean – has now inked his rookie deal, per a team announcement.

DeJean was one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2024 class, one dominated at the top by offensive players. That was demonstrated by the historic run of quarterbacks, tackles and receivers to begin the opening round, but it still came as a surprise when DeJean did not hear his name called on Day 1. The Eagles traded up to select him at No. 40.

In doing so, they made another draft investment in the secondary. That unit struggled in 2023, and Philadelphia responded prior to the DeJean selection by adding Quinyon Mitchell as the first defensive back to hear his name called. The latter is positioned to see time alongside Darius Slay and James Bradberry as a perimeter corner, but the former’s NFL role is less clear.

DeJean played at corner during his time at Iowa, but he also had success when lining up as a safety. He was named the Big Ten’s top defensive back and returner last season, a sign of his skillset both on defense and special teams. A fractured leg ended the 6-1, 203-pounder’s college career prematurely, and it may have hindered his draft stock.

Nevertheless, DeJean will join the Eagles with expectations of being able to contribute in the third phase even if he does not land a starting job on defense right away. After ranking 31st in the league in passing yards allowed last year, the team has plenty of room for improvement in the secondary. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will spend the summer attempting to find DeJean’s ideal position during his rookie campaign.

Here is an updated look at the Eagles’ draft class:

Eagles Acquire No. 40 From Commanders

April 26th, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

Trades continue to flood the top of the second round. The Eagles have moved up to No. 40, swapping places with the Commanders. Philadelphia will send 53 and 161 to Washington while picking up No. 78.

Adding further to their investments in the secondary, the Eagles are selecting Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean. The team went cornerback on Thursday night by drafting cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, and they have followed that up with another highly regarded contributor in the defensive backfield. DeJean is one of a few defenders who surprisingly did not hear their names called on Day 1.

Questions have been raised about his best position at the NFL level, having spent time both on the perimeter and in the slot. DeJean may see time at safety in the pros, but in any spot he will be counted on to provide starting-caliber play early on in his career. Over the past two seasons, he played a central role in Iowa’s defense while also demonstrating his special teams prowess.

DeJean raked up five interceptions in 2022, and he posted another two last season before a broken fibula ended his junior campaign. In spite of that missed time, the 6-1, 203-pounder was named a unanimous All-American after cementing his status as a versatile defender and a dynamic return man (11.5 yard average, one touchdown on punt returns).

The Eagles entered the offseason with plenty of questions at the CB spot with veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry still in line to hold down starting positions. The addition of Mitchell will give the team another option on the outside, whereas DeJean could see time at nickel or safety. Philadelphia reunited with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, but DeJean will serve as depth behind him with the potential to become much more over time.

Draft Rumors: 49ers, Corley, Commanders, Bears, Alt, Giants, Eagles, Seahawks, Steelers, Vikings, Lions

April 18th, 2024 at 1:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

No Brandon Aiyuk trade request has emerged yet, separating this situation from the Deebo Samuel saga from 2022. Samuel receiving an extension later that year complicates matters for Aiyuk, who has needed to wait longer to enter extension territory due to being a former first-round pick. As this remains a storyline to monitor ahead of the draft, the 49ers scheduled a notable visit. Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley stopped through team headquarters, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, just before the deadline for “30” visits this week.

Playing a role in the Hilltoppers’ Bailey Zappe-led aerial fireworks in 2021, Corley enjoyed a more prominent position in the mid-major team’s passing attack over the past two years — each 11-touchdown campaigns. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein threw out Samuel as a comp for Corley, who is projected to be a second-round pick. Though, he will be unlikely to be available by the time San Francisco’s No. 63 slot arrives. With big-ticket expenses at three other skill-position spots (and Brock Purdy eligible for a re-up in 2025), the 49ers have a major decision to make with Aiyuk soon.

Here is the latest from the draft ranks:

  • The Giants‘ quarterback-or-wide receiver decision at No. 6 figures to be one of this draft’s most important, but the team did bring in some first-round prospects who do not play those positions. Tackle Joe Alt and edge rusher Dallas Turner visited the team recently, per the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. Highly unlikely to draft Turner due to the Brian Burns trade and Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s status, the Giants could conceivably consider Alt. The All-American Notre Dame left tackle would need to be moved to the right side, however, and Schwartz reaffirms a recent report that indicates the team has not given up on keeping 2022 No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal at tackle.
  • Now that Cooper DeJean went through a workout following a broken fibula suffered in November, a few teams brought him in for visits. The Iowa cornerback met with the Bills previously, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the Seahawks, Steelers and Eagles hosted the talented cover man on “30” visits before Wednesday’s deadline. Our Ely Allen recently examined the first-round-caliber CB’s prospect stock.
  • Staying at corner, both the Vikings and Lions brought in the well-traveled Terrion Arnold for pre-draft visits, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The Alabama corner, who slots as the top player at the position (No. 9 overall) on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, also met with the Cardinals, Titans, Falcons and Jaguars during the draft run-up. The Lions, whose CB situation changed after the Cameron Sutton arrest/release, also brought in Arnold teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry recently.
  • Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson, he of a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, made two more visits before visit season ended. The Bears and Commanders brought in the intriguing DE prospect, Rapoport adds. In need of D-end help after trading Montez Sweat to the Bears, the Commanders hold the No. 40 pick as a result of that trade. Washington carries Nos. 36 and 40, while Chicago does not have a second-round pick this year. Linked to a potential WR-or-Brock Bowers call at No. 9, the Bears may not be in the value range for Robinson, whom Jeremiah slots as this draft’s No. 21 overall talent.
  • The Seahawks met with Bo Nix and have a clear connection to Michael Penix Jr., with new OC Ryan Grubb having coached the latter at Washington. With Geno Smith on a flexible contract that runs through 2025, Seattle brought in South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler for a pre-deadline visit, per Schultz. Slotted as the No. 7 QB on Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board, Rattler met with the Giants this week as well. The former Oklahoma recruit earned Senior Bowl MVP honors in January.
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