Cooper DeJean

ANALYSIS
DeJean was widely viewed as a viable first-round pick after an impressive Iowa career, so if his draft fall was unwarranted, then this could prove a steal for the Eagles. Philadelphia went into the draft with major concerns at cornerback, but between the selections of DeJean and first-round corner Quinyon Mitchell those worries are basically gone now. Mitchell is mostly a boundary corner, whereas DeJean (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) is more of a safety tweener who figures to hold a greater slot presence than on the outside. In addition to immediately competing for snaps in the slot and at safety, DeJean might get some punt-return work after returning one punt and three interceptions for touchdowns in college.

ANALYSIS
DeJean, who was a standout at Iowa and garnered both first-team All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honors in 2023, had widely been projected as a first-round pick. However, with cornerback a position of need for Philadelphia and DeJean still on the board as the second round began Friday night, the Eagles opted to trade both of their second-round picks and a fifth-rounder to the division-rival Commanders, receiving the 40th and 78th overall selections and using the first of those to secure DeJean's services.