Cooper DeJean Could Move from CB to Safety in Eagles Base Defense, DC Vic Fangio Says

Cooper DeJean proved to be a star at nickelback during his rookie season for the Philadelphia Eagles, and he'll reprise that role in 2025. But it sounds as though the team is going to get creative in how they utilize him in base packages as well.

"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," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters regarding DeJean. "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—and what's best for the team will win out in that decision. But he's capable of playing corner and he's capable of playing safety."

The Eagles primarily run out of the nickel—around 80 percent of the time—so DeJean's role in the base defense isn't the most pressing need for the team to figure out. But it does illuminate a few areas on the defense that are in need of sorting.

In either nickel or base, for instance, there's the matter of who will win the outside cornerback job opposite of Quinyon Mitchell. It's possible that DeJean could fit in that role if he doesn't move to safety in the base defense, while either Kelee Ringo, Eli Nicks or Adoree' Jackson will be fighting for playing time as well (and one will factor heavily in nickel schemes).

At safety, Reed Blankenship will handle the free safety role, but there will be a competition next to him, likely waged between veteran Sydney Brown and rookie Andrew Mukuba. And now Fangio has thrown DeJean's name in the mix as well for base units.

"I think he would play very well at safety," the defensive coordinator noted. "I think it suits his skill set, things that he does well. I just think he would do very well in there."

There was talk that DeJean could be utilized primarily as a safety leading into the 2024 NFL draft, but the Eagles played him as a nickel and he thrived in the role, finishing with 51 tackles, six passes defensed, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and three tackles for loss.

His pick-six of Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl was one of the definitive plays during Philly's 40-22 domination.

Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Talk ranked him as the seventh best rookie of the 2024 season, noting that he made "an impact both in coverage and against the run. While he allowed 51 receptions in coverage, they went for an average of just 7.3 yards per catch, and the former Iowa standout earned a 79.3 PFF coverage grade."

That ability to be a factor against the run is why it's feasible to imagine him playing an occasional role at safety. But his primary role will remain as Philly's nickelback.