Cooper DeJean: 'I told my agent Philly is the place I'd love to be'

The Eagles surprised a lot of people, Cooper DeJean included, on Night 2 of the NFL Draft when they traded up to 40th pick and selected the defensive back from Iowa.

"Obviously Philly wasn't even up on on the board yet at 40, so I didn't expect them to be on the phone when I picked it up from my agent," DeJean recounted on the WIP Midday Show. "But when I heard who was on the other side of the phone I was really excited because I was telling my agent Philly would be the place I'd love to be."

DeJean noted that he played both slot and outside corner during the Eagles two rookie minicamp practices, but isn't sure where he could line up in Week 1 against the Packers in Brazil.

"Pre-draft, I talked to [the Eagles] about all three positions," DeJean said, referring to both corner spots and safety. "I still got a lot to learn about this defense from the older guys, especially, who've been there, you know, so I think I think the biggest thing is, is the versatility part and allowing me to play different positions."

During his time at Iowa, DeJean was recruited as a safety, but spent most of his time as an outside corner and an elite punt returner who scored four total touchdowns in his final two seasons.

"Whenever I touch the ball as a defensive guy, you know, what I want to do is go hard because you don't get you don't get those opportunities very often," DeJean explained. "So my mindset is just to go try and find a way to put in the endzone."

If DeJean could find the end zone in 2024, it would be a welcome sight to an Eagles defense that scored just three touchdowns last season and ranked 23rd in the league in takeaways.