Eagles training camp star drawing comparisons to A.J Brown

One of the returning pass catchers who the national media has glossed over is wide receiver Darius Cooper, an undrafted free agent who the Eagles signed last year. He caught just nine passes for 92 yards in his rookie season and had very few expectations coming into 2026, but he’s quietly been one of the stars of training camp.

Darius Cooper flashing shades of A.J. Brown during Eagles training camp

If Cooper made the roster, it was more likely to be as one of the last receivers, but now he appears to be challenging for the No. 3 spot. He has consistently made plays throughout training camp, and Tuesday’s practice was such a good one that he was likened to Brown by multiple Eagles beat reporters.

Cooper has yet to prove that he has Brown’s talent level in an NFL game, but it’s not often that an undrafted free agent gets compared to a three-time All-Pro player. One of Philadelphia’s biggest weaknesses last season was the lack of a tertiary option among its wide receivers and Cooper figures to help the team out there if he ends up winning the job.

He still has wide receiver DeVonta Smith, running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert as teammates, so Cooper will likely be the last thing on the minds of the defense. Him feasting on one of the opponents’ worst coverage cornerbacks should be one of the biggest factors in opening up a passing game that struggled last season.

There is still about a month until the regular season begins and all three preseason games left to go, so there is plenty of time for the outlook on the receiver room to change. But right now it looks like the Eagles may have found a diamond in the rough.