Future of Eagles secondary takes the field at rookie camp originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
It’s too early to know whether Quinyon Mitchell or Cooper DeJean will become stars in the NFL or not. This book is yet to be written.
But at least page 1 is out of the way.
Mitchell, DeJean and the rest of the Eagles’ 2024 class took the field Friday afternoon for the start of rookie minicamp. In the case of Mitchell and DeJean, it was the first step in what the Eagles hope will be long careers and a glimpse into the future of the franchise’s secondary.
“It was good to be back in a team environment, put on the helmet and cleats and get going with the guys,” Mitchell said. “I mean, I felt really good today and overall it was a good day for everyone.”
The Eagles had nine picks in the draft last weekend, but chances are this class will be boosted by the success or failure of the top two picks: Mitchell at No. 22 and DeJean at No. 40. of the Eagles secondary in the coming years.
It’s very difficult to know right now if it will work out, but the Eagles’ first-round pick made a good first impression on Friday.
“We had limited reps today,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “I got to see him exercise. You saw the explosiveness and the quickness that we saw on tape as to why we drafted him in the first round. I made some good plays with the ball today at 7-on-7 speed.
“And I’m really excited to see him on the field and competing. Again, limited reps today, but you saw the quickness, the explosiveness and the acceleration.”
For DeJean, Friday was a day he had been looking forward to for some time. His final season at Iowa was cut short because of a fractured fibula, which also prevented him from competing at the Combine and Iowa Pro Day.
Between the injury and the pre-draft process, DeJean couldn’t wait to get back to playing football with his teammates.
How have the last few months been?
“Long,” DeJean said with a smile. “It seems like a long time ago. Especially after the injury and having to go through rehab and the whole pre-draft process, where you’re not really working on the football, you’re not really playing with 10 other guys on the field. It’s good to get back there, play football as a team against the attack, look at that look. It’s just feeling things again.”
While Mitchell clearly projects as a starting outside cornerback in the NFL, DeJean’s position is a bit more questionable, in part because of his versatility and in part because the outside corner spots in Philadelphia are seemingly filled.
But the Eagles intend to take advantage of DeJean’s versatility and he said that in his first training session with the team he was already playing in all three positions in the secondary.
“I was working everywhere today,” DeJean said. “Just moving around, feeling things out.”
Mitchell and DeJean got to know each other a bit in the pre-draft process, so when Mitchell went 22nd overall to the Eagles, DeJean sent him a congratulatory text message. At that time, DeJean didn’t know he would be joining him the next night.
Now that they are teammates, Mitchell and DeJean are working to strengthen that bond under a coach who emphasizes connection more than anyone.
“We’re just creating that bond,” Mitchell said. “He’s an amazing guy, a great teammate and a great player.”
On Thursday night, the pair went to watch the 76ers host the Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center in an Eastern Conference playoff game. This trip served two purposes: first, they spent time together. Second, they got to see a playoff atmosphere in front of Philadelphia fans.
Obviously, the Sixers didn’t do their part, but it was still an enjoyable outing.
Mitchell and DeJean were also already on the same page about what they saw Thursday night:
“It was crazy. These fans were wild. Obviously, I didn’t get the win, but it was a cool atmosphere to see it firsthand, the Philadelphia fans,” DeJean said.
“It was crazy. Great atmosphere, great fans, it was great energy in that building last night,” Mitchell said.
Wait until they see Linc.
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