Cooper DeJean’s rapid ascent continued Tuesday when the Philadelphia Eagles
cornerback was revealed as the No. 38 player in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026. The annual ranking is determined by votes from NFL players, making DeJean’s placement another significant form of recognition following his breakout second season. DeJean moved up 22 places after debuting at No. 60 on last year’s list and is the highest-ranked Eagles player revealed thus far.DeJean joins quarterback Jalen Hurts, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and linebacker Zack Baun among the Philadelphia players already announced. Hurts landed at No. 56, Mitchell was ranked No. 47, and Baun checked in at No. 45.
The dramatic jump follows a season in which DeJean became one of the NFL’s most
complete defensive backs. He earned first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors as a slot cornerback and received the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
No. 38 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@Eagles CB Cooper DeJean! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/5eeOr4WMgl
— NFL (@NFL) August 4, 2026
DeJean recorded 93 tackles, 16 passes defensed, two interceptions, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble while starting all 16 of his appearances in 2025. He did not allow a touchdown while serving as Philadelphia’s primary nickel defender. His impact extended beyond the traditional statistics. According to the Eagles, DeJean led qualified NFL slot cornerbacks with a 79.3 Pro Football Focus coverage grade, a 61.4% completion rate allowed, a 55.4 opposing passer rating and 0.72 receiving yards allowed per coverage snap.
Those numbers reinforced DeJean’s value in a demanding role. He can cover receivers from the slot, defend tight ends, support the run and pressure quarterbacks when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio sends him from the secondary. That versatility allows Philadelphia to alter its defensive structure without changing personnel.
DeJean has also demonstrated that his memorable rookie postseason was only the beginning. His interception return for a touchdown against Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX made him a national star. Still, his consistency throughout the following season established him as one of the league’s premier defensive backs.
Philadelphia selected DeJean with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Two years later, the players he competes against have ranked him two spots higher than everyone else in the league.
DeJean will enter his third season as a central piece of an Eagles secondary that also features Mitchell and Riq Woolen. His responsibilities could continue expanding, but his No. 38 ranking confirms that his peers already view him as much more than a promising young cornerback. DeJean has established himself as one of the NFL’s best defensive players.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Cooper DeJean lands at No. 38 on NFL Top 100 Players of 2026
