In a league where passing games dominate and defensive backs are more valuable than ever, the Philadelphia Eagles have struck gold with one of the brightest young stars in football — Cooper DeJean. At just 22 years old and only in his second professional season, DeJean has already emerged as one of the NFL’s premier slot cornerbacks, anchoring the Eagles’ defense with confidence, intelligence, and unmatched versatility.
Through Week 8 of the 2025 season, DeJean has played an astonishing 98% of the team’s defensive snaps, recording 52 tackles, four tackles for loss, and six passes defended — all while frustrating opposing slot receivers week after week. His instincts, quick reaction time, and physicality have made him an indispensable piece of Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme.
When asked about DeJean’s meteoric rise, Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t hold back his praise — and gratitude.
“We got lucky that he was still there,” Fangio said. “Cooper’s not just a corner or a nickel — he’s a pure football player. Smart, versatile, tough. And trust me, we’re only scratching the surface of what he can become.”
Fangio went on to thank the other 31 NFL teams for passing on DeJean during the previous draft, admitting that the Eagles’ staff knew exactly what they were getting when they selected him in the second round.
According to Fangio, many teams overlooked DeJean because he played almost exclusively at cornerback in college, leading scouts to question his positional flexibility. But in Philadelphia, that supposed limitation has turned into a strength.
“A lot of people didn’t see his versatility because he wasn’t asked to do it in college,” Fangio explained. “Here, we’ve seen him excel everywhere — in the slot, outside, even in safety packages. He’s one of those rare players who just understands the game on a different level.”
With his mix of athleticism and football IQ, DeJean has quickly become the kind of player every defensive coach dreams of — the one who can change the tempo of a game and elevate the entire secondary. His presence in the slot has been a major reason why the Eagles have remained one of the toughest defenses to throw against this season.
However, Fangio also revealed that the coaching staff has discussed expanding DeJean’s role even further. With injuries and inconsistent performances from other cornerbacks like Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson, the idea of moving DeJean to the outside has been floated — but Fangio remains cautious.
“We’ve considered it,” he admitted. “But when you have one of the best players at a certain position, it’s hard to move him just to fill another hole. You don’t take your best chess piece off the board; you find ways to make him even more dangerous.”
Still, Fangio hinted that the Eagles are developing bold strategies to fully unlock DeJean’s potential. Whether it means giving him more freedom to roam, using him in hybrid coverage roles, or designing creative blitz packages around his instincts, one thing is clear — Philadelphia plans to build around their young defensive star for years to come.
The decision to draft DeJean, once seen as a gamble, has now become one of Howie Roseman’s smartest moves in recent memory. And if Fangio’s words are any indication, the best of Cooper DeJean is still to come.
For a franchise that prides itself on identifying elite talent and maximizing it, the Eagles may have just found the cornerstone of their future secondary — a player whose mix of toughness, intelligence, and adaptability embodies the true spirit of Philadelphia football.
