Over the next few weeks leading up to training camp, we’ll be counting down the top 25 most important Eagles for the 2025 season.
25. Andrew Mukuba
24. Jahan Dotson
23. Tanner McKee
22. Tyler Steen
21. Azeez Ojulari
20. Moro Ojomo
19. Kelee Ringo
18. Jihaad Campbell
17. Jalyx Hunt
16. Jordan Davis
15. Reed Blankenship
14. Dallas Goedert
13. Cam Jurgens
12. Nolan Smith
11. Landon Dickerson
10. Cooper DeJean
It’s probably a little unfair to say the Eagles’ defense took off in 2024 because of Cooper DeJean. But Vic Fangio’s unit certainly changed once DeJean was inserted into the lineup last year.
The second-round pick out of Iowa dealt with a hamstring injury in training camp that put him behind a little bit entering the season. He didn’t become the Eagles’ starting nickel cornerback until Week 6 coming off the bye week but that ended up being one of the most significant changes and a catalyst to propel the No. 1 Eagles defense through a Super Bowl season.
DeJean, who turned 22 on Super Bowl Sunday, was incredible as a rookie. But he didn’t get his first-career interception until Super Bowl LIX when he picked off a Patrick Mahomes pass and took it the other way for a touchdown to put the Eagles up three scores in their 40-22 win over the Chiefs.
Ever since that day, DeJean’s life has changed some.
“It’s been a little different,” DeJean said this spring. “Just walking around, I try to hide as much as I can but it gets harder and harder. It’s still not going to change who I am as a person. Just be myself, treat people the same way. I haven’t changed but things around me have changed a little bit. But I’m still the same person.”
It seemed like DeJean was everywhere this offseason; there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some newfound fame and popularity. But when spring practices kicked off, DeJean got some work at outside cornerback in addition to his role as the Eagles’ nickel corner.
Fangio has already said that DeJean won’t move from nickel corner but will play either outside corner or safety in the Eagles’ base package. This is a decision to ensure that DeJean won’t leave the field in Year 2. He still figures to get around 85% of his snaps at nickel and the other 15% at either corner or safety in the Eagles’ base package.
The Eagles don’t doubt that DeJean could play pretty much anywhere in the secondary.
“Coop, he a football player,” Quinyon Mitchell said. “He did it in college. Just a great football player. Got a knack for the football. Just a football player.”
How good was DeJean’s rookie season? According to ProFootballFocus, DeJean didn’t allow a single touchdown on 606 coverage snaps in 2025. PFF ranked DeJean as the No. 1 overall corner in the NFL last season — ahead of Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II.
DeJean, according to NextGen Stats, was targeted 62 times in coverage and gave up just 42 receptions for 303 yards and an opposing passer rating of just 78.9. He was also an excellent tackler and filled in on punt return duties after Britain Covey got injured. Fangio would prefer if DeJean didn’t have to return punts in 2025 but DeJean is more than capable.
DeJean was excellent last season as a 21-year-old rookie. And no matter where he lines up in 2025, he’ll be a big part of the secondary.
“I’ll play wherever, to be honest,” DeJean said. “Wherever they put me on the football field, I’ll play there. As long as I’m out there, I’ll be ready to play no matter the position, whether it’s corner, nickel or safety.”
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