Instant analysis of Eagles' second-round draft pick DB Cooper DeJean
After trading up with the Washington Commanders in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean with the 40th overall pick. He'll team up quite nicely with the Eagles' first-round pick cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. A to Z Sports' draft analyst James Foster ranks DeJean as the 33rd-best overall […]
After trading up with the Washington Commanders in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean with the 40th overall pick.
He'll team up quite nicely with the Eagles' first-round pick cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
A to Z Sports' draft analyst James Foster ranks DeJean as the 33rd-best overall prospect and 5th at the cornerback position.
Player Scouting Report from A to Z Sports Film Room's James Foster
Strengths:
- Good size & straight-line explosiveness
- Quick plant-drive to close space quickly
- Flashed potential as a press corner later in the season. Rarely played press before the Wisconsin game
- Tight squeeze on in-breaking routes from cover 3/4
- Good route recognition & balance in trail technique
- Capable of fluid hip turns/transitions. Has some jaw-dropping speed turns on tape
- Play strength to absorb contact & stay in phase with physical WRs
- Dismantles & sheds blocks like a linebacker
- Dynamic punt returner
Weaknesses:
- Needs to improve hand accuracy in press
- Slight stall turning to accelerate
- Struggles to sink his hips and mirror stop routes
- Plays with good eye discipline, but sometimes late to react to comebacks
- Doesn't seem comfortable turning & locating the ball
- Unable to make tackles outside of his frame
- Will occasionally lose the edge in run defense
- 2023 season ended with a lower-leg injury opinion
After not testing at the NFL Combine due to a fractured fibula, DeJean, who weighed in at 202 pounds, posted an impressive 4.42 40-yard dash, 10-yard split of 1.55 seconds, and a 38.5-inch vertical jump during his private workout.
DeJean's versatility is what makes him such an intriguing player since he has experience playing everywhere from outside cornerback to slot corner and safety during his time with the Hawkeyes.
In his final two years at Iowa, DeJean racked up 120 total tackles, 20 passed defended and seven interceptions, including three returned for a touchdown. He was also a standout punt returner for the Hawkeyes, returning 31 punts for 406 yards and one touchdown.
