Eagles trade for Iowa CB Cooper DeJean in Round 2 of NFL draft 2024. Our scouting report
PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles traded up to No. 40 to select Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean in Round 2 on Friday.
DeJean is versatile in that he can play outside or at nickel, or even safety. In fact, the Eagles listed him as a defensive back.
The Eagles traded up with Washington to get DeJean. They gave up both of their second round picks, at No. 50 and No. 53. The Eagles also gave up one of their fifth-round picks, at No. 161. In return, the Eagles are getting a third-round pick back at No. 78, and a fifth-round pick at No. 152.
DeJean said Friday night that he doesn't have a preference of where he plays; he just wants to play. That's something he hasn't been able to do since Nov. 11, when he broke his fibula against Rutgers.
DeJean didn't run at the NFL scouting combine in early March, nor at Iowa's Pro Day. But he did work out for teams a few weeks before the draft, and said he was cleared to resume full activities.
"(The Eagles) talked to me about all three positions," DeJean said. "I don’t have a preference. I’m a football player, so you put me on the field, I’m going to play football, whether it’s inside, outside, at safety, wherever it is. It’s a game I love to play. As long as I’m on the field out there, I’ll be happy and will give it my all every time I step on the field."
DeJean is also an accomplished returner. Last season, despite playing only 10 games, DeJean was the Big Ten's defensive back of the year and return specialist of the year. As a sophomore in 2022, DeJean had 3 pick-sixes. He had 7 career INTs.
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DeJean said playing in the Big Ten against top receivers like Ohio State's Marvin Harrison has helped prepare him for the NFL.
"Playing in the Big Ten, it’s a pretty physical game," he said. "That’s what I love about the game of football, how physical it is, and being able to go out and hit people each and every down. Having those matchups on the outside as well, and also being able to come downhill and be an impact in the run game."
For the Eagles, it's the second straight pick for a cornerback. The Eagles took Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with their first-round pick, No. 22 overall, on Thursday night.
It's reminiscent of the 2002 draft, the last time the Eagles took a cornerback in the first round. They picked Lito Sheppard that year in the first round. They had two picks in the second round that year, taking safety Michael Lewis and cornerback Sheldon Brown.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles trade for Iowa CB Cooper DeJean in Round 2 of NFL draft: Analysis
