Two young Eagles earn the spotlight (but a snub steals the story)

USA Today

5 days ago

Two young Eagles shine on an elite list but one obvious omission certainly stings.
Though football is a team game, it's also one fueled by individual accomplishments. When that contract reaches its final season, discussions begin about a Philadelphia Eagles star's extension.
Agents mention the number of postseason accolades that are on the resume. Stats are discussed. That's typically what Howie Roseman is dealing with.
Can you imagine what type of coin he'll be discussing when Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell's numbers come up? Have you seen the direction in which the salary cap is trending?
We have some time before we have to discuss their looming massive paydays. Both are first-round draft choices with fifth-year options baked into their extensions. That means, for now, we can spend more time celebrating them for their on-field brilliance.
Quinyon Mitchell and Jalen Carter land on an elite list, but Cooper DeJean is an obvious snub.
Looking for something to keep you busy? Here's a recommendation. CBS Sports released a top 25 list for players 25 and younger. Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell earned well-deserved mentions at 12 and 23, respectively. Here's what Cody Benjamin, the writer of this one, said about these young cornerstones in Vic Fangio's defense.
About Quinyon Mitchell: "It's notoriously difficult for cornerbacks to become Day 1 stars in the NFL, but Mitchell never batted an eye as a perimeter starter for the Eagles. He didn't light up the turnover sheet, but he saved his best work for the brightest lights, logging two picks and four pass breakups during a playoff run all the way to Super Bowl glory."
About Jalen Carter: "He's coming off just his first year as a full-timer, but there might not be a more tenacious interior force this side of Aaron Donald's retirement. Carter's pocket-breaking violence was huge for the Eagles' title run; he totaled 23 quarterback hits in 2024, including playoffs. And most would agree he's not even close to hitting his prime."
Benjamin hits the bullseye with both mentions. There's only one issue. Perhaps you noticed. Where on Planet Earth is Cooper DeJean? Overlooked? Snubbed? A little of both?
Let's review the film. Injury forced DeJean to miss the entire Eagles' preseason. He was active for game one of the regular season, but the decision was made to bring him along slowly, with the focus being on working with the special teams unit.
After the bye week, DeJean was inserted into the starting lineup. The eight defensive snaps he saw from Week 1 to 4 were eclipsed by a 52-snap showing in Week 6.
DeJean never looked back. He was a finalist, along with Mitchell, for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy. He buried Derrick Henry. He hauled in an interception off Patrick Mahomes' arm in Super Bowl 59.
Coop's pick-six doubles as the Eagles' first interception during a Super Bowl in franchise history. Cody Benjamin's work can be trusted. He's one of the best in the business, but respectfully, we have to throw the challenge flag on Cooper DeJean's omission.