Grading the Eagles, Commanders trade: Philly dances with division rival to land first-round talent

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft to grab Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean with the 40th overall pick.

They sent the Washington Commanders their No. 50, 53 and 161 picks in exchange for No. 40, 78, and 152.

According to Jimmy Johnson's NFL draft value chart , the Eagles gave up the equivalent of a mid-fourth-round pick to ultimately get a highly-touted first-round prospect.

DeJean was widely projected to go in the first round of the draft but dropped into the early second after several offensive players went on Day 1.

Per A to Z Sports ' draft expert James Foster , the Eagles will be able to use DeJean as a nickel, safety, or outside corner, really wherever they please:

DeJean is one of the more polarizing prospects in the class given his position. Some teams believe he’s a nickel or safety while others believe he can play true outside corner. Possessing many of the necessary traits to be good at either position, DeJean may not be the island lockdown corner that you envision from a true #1 CB, but his traits and play style lead you to believe he can play all over the defensive backfield.

It's hard not to completely fall in love with a pick like DeJean since the Eagles need help in all of those areas.

DeJean's do-it-all ability should also pair nicely with the Eagles' first-round pick in Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and both players will help breathe life into the Eagles' struggling secondary that ranked amongst the worst in 2023.

Another smart move by THE Howie Roseman.

Grade: A

Related: Instant analysis of Eagles' second-round draft pick DB Cooper DeJean