Cooper DeJean's perfect potential role could land him a gold medal

Football fans are three years away from seeing something that no one thought was possible become a reality: football in the Olympics. And one Philadelphia Eagles player could be a great fit for Team USA.

ESPN NFL writer Matt Bowen assembled his ideal flag football team, featuring NFL and College Football players, in the Olympics when it comes in 2028. Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean was selected as a defensive back and Bowen shared the four traits that made him perfect for the job.

• Field vision
• Pattern matching
• Change-of-direction speed
• Ball skills

"DeJean could also see reps on offense given his ball skills and punt return ability, which translates well to the flag football game since you need vertical acceleration and the elusiveness to make people miss in space. But we are focusing on DeJean as a slot corner for this team.

He can match inside, run with the seams and corner routes and use his change-of-direction speed to limit underneath concepts (especially near the goal line). His rookie tape in Philly was excellent, and a pick-six in the Super Bowl off Patrick Mahomes highlighted his impact ability. DeJean is a rising star who would have three more full NFL seasons to grow his game before the Olympics."

Would DeJean be an impactful player for Team USA?

Versatility is key for any player trying to make the Team USA flag football squad, and DeJean would be able to do it all. He's got good enough hands to play on offense as a receiver and can play defense well. The return game is a good example of how he can be elusive enough to evade defenders with the ball in his hands.

Eagles fans are seeing it in person with how defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is willing to move DeJean around on defense from slot corner to outside to safety. Not many defenders are capable of doing all three, but DeJean can with his flexibility on the field.

Would the former second-round pick consider playing in the Olympics if given the chance? The option would be there, and Team USA would love to have him.

Philadelphia would be ecstatic to have Eagles representation at the Olympics in three years. DeJean would be the perfect example for the city and team for multiple reasons: underdog mentality, versatility, toughness, and a proven winner.