When the Eagles drafted Mac McWilliams in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many wondered if it was simply a move to bring in developmental depth, or if the Birds had other plans in mind. With OTA’s ongoing, Eagles DC Vic Fangio met with reporters and hinted at a potential wildcard involving Cooper DeJean.
Cooper DeJean set for more versatile role in 2025?
“We’d like to keep him at nickel, and then in our base package we’ll find a spot for him, either at corner or safety,” Vic Fangio explained via NBC Sports. “A lot of it will end up depending on how the other guys develop and where we most need him. It will be determined by what’s best for him and what’s best for the team.”
DeJean is coming off an explosive rookie season. Despite being a late bloomer due to the injury that held him back, his presence was immidately felt in his debut against the Browns, and from there, he never looked back. The Iowa product amassed 51 tackles and 0.5 sacks overall, notching a pick-6 in the Super Bowl just to put the icing on the cake.
Some would argue that a move to Safety would ‘rock the boat’ too much given just how strongly DeJean played in 2024, but given his versatile nature and impressive production throughout his collegiate career, his versatility could be a huge calling card if depth at the position is indeed a little thin at points during the upcoming season.
A move to Safety might not be a full-time endeavour for the Super Bowl standout, but we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s a possibility. Let’s not forget that when he was drafted, being a versatile DB was his calling card. When an injury derailed his Summer progress, the Eagles kept their prized rookie in the nickel as to not overload him when getting back up to speed. But now with some extensive defensive snaps in his arsenal, it might well be time to see just how high he can fly.
The Eagles of course lost Chauncey Gardner-Johnson this past offseason and as things stand, rookie Andrew Mukuba is in-line to take those snaps. It might be a safer idea to have him learn under the hosts of ‘The Exciting Mics’ and allow DeJean to flourish in the defensive backfield.
The Birds are loaded with depth at corner, meanwhile. Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams and even veteran Parry Nickerson could all be viable options, be it in certain formations or full-time. We know that Fangio likes to move players around and keep opposing offenses guessing, and a hybrid role for DeJean may only further increase his production.
Training Camp will ultimately be Vic Fangio’s testing playground this Summer. Whether we see more experimental formations or a sterner move into the defensive backfield for CDJ will likely all depend on how the players perform down at the NovaCare Complex.
But whatever happens, you can bet your bottom dollar on Cooper DeJean being a crucial player for the Eagles in 2025 and beyond.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
