American Football

NFL Draft Results: Eagles trade up to Commanders’ spot to pick Cooper DeJean at No. 40

April 27, 2024

Western Michigan v Iowa — Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

The Eagles have another new cornerback!

With the 40th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select … Cooper DeJean, cornerback, Iowa!

The Eagles were originally set to pick at No. 50 but made a deal with the Washington Commanders, an NFC East rival, to move up 10 spots to get to this selection. The trade terms …

EAGLES RECEIVE: No. 40, No. 78

COMMANDERS RECEIVE: No. 50, No. 53, No. 161

According to one draft pick value chart, the Eagles surrendered 770 points and received 700 points in return. The difference of 70 points is worth the 12th pick in the fourth round at No. 112.

Getting back to the selection itself, DeJean was originally considered to be in play for the Eagles at No. 22. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus actually had him ranked as their No. 8 overall prospect … one spot ahead of Eagles first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell:

The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it’s because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.

So, it’s pretty fun that the Eagles were able to get him later after also unexpectedly landing Mitchell at No. 22. That’s two new young defensive backs to help a struggling secondary!

DeJean is a younger prospect; he turned 21 in February. He was a full-time starter for two years at Iowa, demonstrating play-making ability as both a defensive back (seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed) and a punt returner (13.1 average, one touchdown).

It remains to be seen exactly where DeJean will play in the NFL. Maybe it’ll be Mitchell and DeJean as the long-term starters on the outside. Maybe DeJean helps fix an unsettled nickel cornerback situation in some capacity. Maybe he sees snaps at safety. Maybe some combination of all of the above? His athletic ability and versatility gives the Eagles options, though, and that’s a good thing.

The downside of loading up on the secondary is that the Eagles still have other holes to address. But they currently do still have five more picks to work with.

Scouting report via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Highly competitive defensive back with plus ball skills and noteworthy special teams value. DeJean is big and bundled for a cornerback, with muscular arms and tight hips. He has fantastic interception production, but his movements are more linear than fluid, and he doesn’t have the easy change of direction needed in man coverage on the next level. His best football is played with his eyes forward, using his instincts to challenge quarterbacks and his big downhill burst to smack whatever needs smacking. He would seem to be a no-brainer as a punt returner and gunner in Year 1. DeJean should be a big athletic tester, which will help get the hype train going, but finding the proper schematic fit will be important in unlocking his best football as a zone corner or interchangeable safety.

College stats via Sports Reference: