Cooper DeJean soared in his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles and will never forget their Super Bowl-winning campaign. He recorded his first NFL interception in the season's final game and returned it for a touchdown. That play made DeJean the first player in NFL history to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl on his birthday.
No better way to celebrate one's birthday.
As a nickel corner, he quickly made an impression that surprised many.
According to ESPN's Ben Solak, DeJean, using his "safety-sized" frame, often out-physicals shifty receivers, creating mismatches that favor Philadelphia's defense.
"DeJean might already be the best zone coverage nickel defender in football," Solak said.
However, the nickel corner position is known for its difficulty. DeJean's film is not perfect. Solak acknowledged that "he can get burned in space" due to his aggressive style. This vulnerability is a known challenge for many at the position, given the speed and variety of offensive motions nickel corners must cover.
Despite occasional lapses, Solak noted that DeJean's overall impact was clear last season as one of the league's top 15 or 20 defensive backs.
"Another fully healthy season should spell imminent All-Pro consideration at his position," the analyst added.
DeJean, the first rookie to have a pick-six in a Super Bowl since 1986, recorded 51 tackles and six pass breakups in 2024. There are discussions about moving him to safety next season to explore his positional versatility.
This means fans can expect to see even more impactful plays from him in the upcoming campaign.