Just one year after being drafted, Eagles cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have been ranked as the NFL’s third-best cornerback duo by Pro Football Focus, validating Philadelphia’s defensive transformation and signaling a bright future for the franchise.
After years of struggling in their defensive secondary, the Philadelphia Eagles made a bold statement in the 2024 NFL Draft. With their first-round pick, the Eagles selected cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall. Then, early in the second round, Philadelphia took another defensive back in Cooper DeJean at pick No. 40. What many viewed as a reach for Mitchell and a steal for DeJean has proven to be one of the most successful draft executions in recent memory.
Mitchell and DeJean came in at No. 3 on PFF’s list, trailing only Christian Benford and Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans’ duo of Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter.
The impact was immediate and dramatic. The revamp happened overnight, as Philadelphia went from 31st in pass yards allowed per game (252.7) to first (174.2), a difference of 78.5 yards. This improvement wasn’t just about scheme changes under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio — it was about having two elite talents ready to contribute from day one.
Mitchell, who plays almost exclusively on the outside, did not allow a touchdown in coverage until Week 16, despite starting the entire season. He finished with just two scores allowed all year and 15 forced incompletions — third most in the NFL. Mitchell ranked eighth among cornerbacks in PFF overall grade (78.4), while DeJean’s 82.0 mark tied for third. Among 60 qualifying rookie cornerbacks over the past six seasons, their PFF overall grades rank third and seventh, respectively.
DeJean’s story is remarkable considering his delayed start due to a hamstring injury that limited him to just eight defensive snaps over the first four games. But once he gained his footing, DeJean became nearly unshakable — not allowing a touchdown on 97 targets during the regular season.
His signature moment came in Super Bowl LIX, when DeJean became the first player in Super Bowl history to intercept a pass or score a touchdown on his birthday, returning a Patrick Mahomes pass 38 yards for a touchdown. It was only the second pick-6 by a rookie in Super Bowl history and helped propel the Eagles to a 40-22 victory over Kansas City.
Both rookies were finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year, with Mitchell finishing as the runner-up to Jared Verse and DeJean coming in fourth. Their exceptional play was instrumental in the Eagles winning their second Super Bowl in the last seven years.
With Vic Fangio returning as defensive coordinator and a full year of NFL experience under their belts, the foundation for sustained excellence is already in place. Throughout his time running the Eagles’ front office, Howie Roseman has put together a strong track record when it comes to the draft, and with Mitchell and DeJean already viewed as a top-3 CB duo, it appears he has struck gold yet again.
The Eagles’ cornerback room transformation from liability to elite unit in a single season stands as one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent NFL history. With Mitchell and DeJean now established as a top-3 cornerback duo entering just their second season, the future looks incredibly bright for Philadelphia’s defense.