Philadelphia Eagles select Iowa’s Cooper DeJean with No. 40 overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft

IOWA CITY — The wait is over for Cooper DeJean.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected the Iowa defensive back and special teams star in the second round with the No. 40 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

DeJean was the fourth defensive back drafted this year. Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins were first-round selections on Thursday.

The Odebolt native was widely projected to be a first-round pick ahead of this week’s draft, but an onslaught of offensive selections — 23 out of 32 first-rounders were on offense — was among the factors that delayed DeJean’s draft moment.

The Eagles traded up to select DeJean. They also drafted a cornerback — Toledo’s Mitchell — with their first-round pick.

The Iowa star will aid a Philadelphia defense that allowed 4,551 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns last year. (The only team to give up more passing touchdowns was the Washington Commanders.)

DeJean brings the versatility at the next level that allows the Eagles to put him at cornerback, safety or nickel back.

“He allows you, almost like an offensive lineman that is versatile, to get your best five DBs on the field because of his versatility and athleticism to be able to play in any spot,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said earlier this year.

DeJean will head to Philadelphia following an impressive three-year collegiate career at Iowa. He was a unanimous All-American and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2023.

DeJean, also the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, averaged 11.5 yards per punt return last year and had a 70-yard touchdown return against Michigan State.

The many accolades were despite DeJean missing four games with a broken fibula, which he suffered while practicing on the offensive side of the ball.

“This might be the 2023 version of Nile Kinnick,” Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker said of DeJean in December. “I don't know. But I think he's a really good player, and he's a really good person.”

In DeJean’s last fully healthy season (2022), he set the program’s single-season record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. His five interceptions were second-best in the Big Ten and 11th-best in the country.

As the No. 40 overall pick, DeJean is the highest-drafted Iowa defensive back in the Kirk Ferentz era. Two others — Bob Sanders in 2004 and Josh Jackson in 2018 — also were second-round selections.

DeJean’s selection marks the fifth Hawkeye defensive back drafted in the last five years, joining Riley Moss, Dane Belton, Michael Ojemudia and Geno Stone.

Spotrac projects DeJean to receive a four-year contract worth $9.2 million, plus a $3.5 million signing bonus.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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