When the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Iowa’s Cooper DeJean in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, few could have predicted the speed at which he would ascend to the league’s elite secondary.
During his collegiate tenure with the Hawkeyes, DeJean compiled 120 tackles, seven interceptions and 13 passes defended, while also averaging more than 13 yards per punt return and earning All‑American honors after his junior season.
What sets DeJean apart is his positional flexibility. He has lined up as both a safety and a cornerback, but it is in the slot where he has truly flourished, allowing the lowest catch rate, the best passer rating suppression and the fewest yards per coverage snap among his peers over the past two seasons.
Super Bowl LIX: The Turning Point
His breakout moment arrived in Super Bowl LIX when he intercepted a pass from Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown, a play that not only swung momentum but also propelled DeJean into the national spotlight.
The performance earned him a spot at No. 10 on ESPN’s list of the top cornerbacks heading into the 2026 season and made him the first Eagles cornerback to be named first‑team All‑Pro since Lito Sheppard in 2004.
Coaches and executives have repeatedly praised his adaptability, noting that his impact extends beyond raw numbers to the way he reshapes opposing offenses. Alongside rising star Quinyon Mitchell, DeJean anchors a defense that aims to capture a second Super Bowl in three seasons.