Cooper DeJean Lauded by Eagles DC Vic Fangio for Versatility at Corner and Safety

Cooper DeJean made one of the most memorable plays of the Super Bowl this February at the slot cornerback role.

Cooper DeJean Lauded by Eagles DC Vic Fangio for Versatility at Corner and Safety

Cooper DeJean, Super Bowl LIX (Via People)

When Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs took the field for Super Bowl LIX, most NFL fans believed they would come away with a three-peat that night. However, they got a rude wake-up call as the Philadelphia Eagles ran roughshod over them on both sides of the ball. At one point, the score was 34-0 in favor of the Eagles in the third period. Cooper DeJean had a big role in that.

The Eagles’ defense was so good at the start of the game that they only allowed one first down in the first nine possessions. They kept a tight lid on the Chiefs’ run game while playing a nickelback package. DeJean was lined up at the slot corner position for much of this. His anticipation led him to pick Patrick Mahomes off in the second quarter and set up a 17-0 lead. His performance was just par for the course.

DeJean was a highly recruited cornerback with the ability to play both on and off the ball. Despite being a white cornerback – the first in decades – DeJean graded out as an above-average athlete at his position. Moreover, his football IQ was a huge selling point for teams looking for help on that side. The Eagles were certainly in need of reinforcements after a woeful end to the 2023 season on that side of the ball.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was quite excited and open about his possibilities with DeJean next season. Speaking to media at mandatory OTAs, the veteran said:

We’d like to keep him at nickel, and then in our base package we’ll find a spot for him, either at corner or safety. It will end up depending on how the other guys develop and where we most need him. It will be determined by what’s best for him and what’s best for the team — and what’s best for the team will win out in that decision. He’s capable of playing corner and he’s capable of playing safety. I think he would play very well at safety. I think it suits his skill set, things that he does well. I just think he would do very well in there.

How has Cooper DeJean been used in the NFL so far?

Cooper DeJean has been used primarily as a cornerback and punt returner for the Philadelphia Eagles in his rookie 2024 NFL season. He has 38 solo tackles, 13 assists, 0.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries across 16 regular-season games. DeJean added on 21 punt returns for 211 yards on special teams duty in addition.

Cooper DeJean
Cooper DeJean (Image via Imagn)

Initially, he played mostly on special teams for the first four games. After the Eagles’ Week 5 bye, Vic Fangio promoted him to the starting nickel corner position. His versatility has already been highlighted by their flexible schemes. DeJean has received snaps at nickelback, outside corner, and even some safety-like roles in certain packages. This diversity reflects his college hybrid skill set.

Iowa’s defense, under coordinator Phil Parker, often employed a zone-heavy scheme. This allowed DeJean to showcase his ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the ball. His ball-hawking qualities have already made him a household name in America with a landmark moment to his name. He will be hoping to have many more accolades up his sleeve by the time he reaches his prime.

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