Cooper DeJean’s rise from Iowa standout to NFL star has been fast, and ESPN’s latest cornerback rankings show just how far he’s come.
After only two seasons in the league, the former Hawkeye landed at No. 10 on Jeremy Fowler’s list of the top 10 cornerbacks entering the 2026 NFL season. That ranking came after Fowler spoke with coaches, executives and scouts, and it reflects how quickly DeJean has earned respect around the NFL.
DeJean’s path to this point started in Iowa City, where he was a two-year standout for the Hawkeyes. He finished his college career with 120 tackles, seven interceptions and 13 passes defended on defense, while also giving Iowa a spark as a punt returner with an average of more than 13 yards per return. After a junior season that earned him All-American honors, the Odebolt, Iowa, native entered the 2024 NFL Draft.
Philadelphia grabbed him in the second round, betting on his playmaking ability. That gamble has paid off. In 32 regular-season games with the Eagles, DeJean has piled up 144 tackles, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
His profile got another boost in Super Bowl LIX, when he picked off Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown in Philadelphia’s win over the Chiefs. That kind of moment, paired with his steady production, has pushed him into star territory.
What makes DeJean such a difficult player to slot into one box is exactly what makes him so valuable. ESPN noted the debate over whether he should be listed as a safety or a cornerback.
He spent most of last season in the slot, but the Eagles plan to use him as a safety in base coverage and a slot corner in subpackages. Even with that versatility, the voters kept him in the cornerback group.
“Since defenses are subpackage-heavy nowadays, and DeJean clearly has high-end cornerback traits, he remains a corner on our list. He appeared in 50% of the top 10 submissions for the position.”
One veteran NFC coach described exactly why DeJean keeps showing up on these lists.
"He holds his own at any position, on the inside or outside," a veteran NFC coach said. "He's a corner because of the way he plays.
[The Eagles] play a lot of man, and he ain't shying away from nothing. He has the range and speed to play outside all day, too.
He's a Swiss Army knife."
ESPN also pointed to the production behind the reputation. Along with Mitchell, DeJean is the first Eagles cornerback to make first-team All-Pro since Lito Sheppard in 2004.
He led all slot cornerbacks in catch rate allowed at 61.4%, passer rating allowed at 55.4 and yards allowed per coverage snap at 0.72. Over two seasons as a slot corner, he still hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown.
One executive had him even higher, ranking DeJean as third on the list.
Now, after becoming one of the Eagles’ most important young defenders, DeJean will try to keep that climb going as Philadelphia chases a second Super Bowl in three seasons. With DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell leading the way, the defense looks like the engine that will drive that run.
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