Cooper DeJean May Shift to Safety in Vic Fangio's Versatile Eagles Defense
Cooper DeJean May Shift to Safety in Vic Fangio's Versatile Eagles Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Cooper DeJean's versatility may take on a new dimension this season, as Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio revealed the Super Bowl hero could see time at safety in addition to his primary nickelback role.
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'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,' Fangio said. 'A lot of it will end up depending on how the other guys develop and where we most need him. But he's capable of playing corner and he's capable of playing safety.'
The potential move makes sense given Philadelphia's needs. With C.J. Gardner-Johnson traded to the Houston Texans in March, the Eagles have a vacancy at safety opposite Reed Blankenship. While rookie Andrew Mukuba and veteran Sydney Brown are competing for the spot, Fangio believes DeJean has the tools to excel there.
'I think he would play very well at safety. I think it suits his skill set, things that he does well,' Fangio said.
DeJean's experience at safety dates back to his time at Iowa. As a freshman in 2021, he started at strong safety in a win over Nebraska and saw time at the position during preseason prep. By 2022, he was playing cornerback, the hybrid 'cash' role, and punt returner, showcasing the versatility that made him a second-round pick and instant contributor in Philadelphia.
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What makes DeJean especially intriguing at safety is his football IQ and ability to read quarterbacks. In Iowa's zone-heavy defense, he excelled at baiting quarterbacks with his eyes and reacting to plays in space, while also serving as one of college football's most reliable tacklers.
Eagles fans shouldn't worry about losing DeJean's elite coverage ability. Philadelphia ran nickel defense 80.5 percent of the time last season, meaning DeJean will continue to anchor the slot position where he didn't allow a single touchdown during his rookie year. Fangio emphasized that his role will ultimately be determined by who emerges around him.
'It's going to take a training camp, a few preseason games to work that out,' Fangio said.
DeJean, who returned a pick-six off Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX and finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, is a cornerstone of the Eagles' youth movement on defense. With his Iowa foundation and elite instincts, DeJean appears ready to add another chapter to his impact, keeping opposing quarterbacks guessing about where No. 33 will line up next.
Related: Injuries Cloud Eagles' Minicamp Outlook
Related: Eagles Could Sign Former Packers Star Cornerback
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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