PFF proves what Eagles fans already knew about star CB Cooper DeJean

By virtue of opening the season on Thursday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles had the luxury of a mini-bye week to prepare for Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX rematch with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The extra time doesn’t appear to be doing Philly many favors, however, when it comes to their ongoing conundrum at No. 2 cornerback.

Based on defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s begrudged response to the team’s most obvious question entering Week 2, the Eagles appear poised to stick with veteran Adoree’ Jackson opposite Quinyon Mitchell, for now. 

The Eagles do have some obvious internal options to turn to if the struggles we saw in the season opener against Dallas ensue. The only problem? Versatile defensive back Cooper DeJean is so good at the nickel spot, it could take the Jaws of Life for Fangio to pull the ascending superstar out of that spot.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Cooper DeJean named No. 3 overall cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus

Fangio and the Eagles ended any debate over DeJean’s role entering Year 2 in the season opener. Despite some chatter on him potentially adding some reps at safety (beyond base packages), DeJean lined up primarily in the slot against Dallas.

Per Pro Football Focus, DeJean played all 61 defensive snaps for the Eagles, with 46 of them covering the slot in Philly’s nickel package. That’s a 75.4% snap share for Week 1.

It’s possible that DeJean’s usage was more game-plan specific to Dallas, as the Cowboys like to present matchup problems by moving No. 1 wide receiver CeeDee Lamb into the slot. Will DeJean see more than eight true cornerback reps against the Chiefs? That's entirely possible.

DeJean’s usage could also simply signal what PFF has been telling us since Week 6 of last season — DeJean might be the best defensive back in the NFL in his current role. He led their grading metrics as a rookie, and through Week 1, he’s ranked third overall in position grade rate among all corners at 81.25%; only Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks and Will Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals were ranked higher.

We’ll have to see how long this lasts. If teams continue to pick on (and torch) whatever combination of Jackson, Jakorian Benett, and Kelee Ringo the Eagles use at CB2, Fangio could have no choice but to move DeJean outside. Perhaps rookie Mac McWilliams could be serviceable enough at the nickel spot to make it work?

For now, Philly appears poised to exhaust all options before moving DeJean off his spot, and it’s hard to blame them.