Eagles' Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell & co. prove picks irrelevant for CBs

DeJean’s value wasn't about takeaways. It was suffocation. He erased receivers. Quarterbacks simply had nowhere to go near him. Think of him like a lockdown defender in the NBA Finals—steals are flashy, but denying the ball matters more. His presence tightened the entire secondary.

Suddenly, Mitchell thrived outside. The pass rush gained precious extra seconds. It was a domino effect started by coverage excellence, not picks. The numbers screamed it: dominance doesn't require the ball in your hands.

Cooper DeJean: The Ultimate Chess Piece

Now, with Slay gone, DeJean’s role expands. Spring practices showed him starting outside opposite Mitchell in base defense. Coach Vic Fangio loves his versatility.

I think he would play very well at safety," Fangio mused. "I think it suits his skill set."

DeJean himself is ready: "Wherever they need me to be, that’s what I’ll do."

Remember, he played everywhere at Iowa. This adaptability is his superpower. He’s not just a corner; he’s a defensive weapon system.

Expect DeJean primarily in the slot in nickel packages—his proven elite domain. But his ability to slide outside or even deep allows Fangio incredible flexibility. Opposing offenses won't know where he lines up pre-snap.

This creates constant mismatches and confusion. It forces QBs into quicker, often worse, decisions. His mere presence dictates the offensive game plan. That’s value far beyond an interception column. It’s strategic mastery on the field.

Think back to February 10, 2025. Super Bowl LIX. DeJean's 22nd birthday. He gave himself, and Philly, the ultimate gift. Snatching a Patrick Mahomes pass and taking it 38 yards for a pivotal pick-six.

Proof positive: when the moment demanded a play, he made it. The regular season drought meant nothing under the brightest lights. It silenced any doubt. That play wasn't luck; it was the culmination of relentless, high-level coverage finally paying the ultimate dividend.

So, forget the interception counter. DeJean embodies the new CB ideal. He changes games by erasing options and enabling his teammates. His versatility lets the Eagles defense morph like liquid metal.

Stats like EPA and targets allowed tell the real story of dominance. As Fangio schemes for 2025, having DeJean is the ultimate luxury—a player who makes everyone better simply by being on the field, wherever that may be.

It’s not about catching the ball; it’s about making sure the other guy can’t. Sometimes the quietest force roars the loudest. As the great John Madden might say, "Stats are for losers. Final scores are for winners." And DeJean helps the Eagles win.