Why Eagles rookies like being thrown in at the deep end originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
Eagles defensive end Vic Fangio threw a lot at his players this spring as they tried to learn their entire defensive system.
What it could be overwhelming for newcomers.
But the Eagles’ top two picks — Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean — seemed to relish the sink-or-swim opportunity.
“It’s good. I want the challenge,” Mitchell said during mandatory minicamp last week. “I want him to challenge me and challenge Cooper just to see how much we can handle. I feel like it’s been good. I’m getting everything right, so I I feel good about it.”
The Eagles hadn’t drafted a cornerback in the first round in a couple of decades before selecting Mitchell from Toledo with the 22nd pick in April. And then in the second round, they traded up to get Iowa’s Cooper DeJean with the No. 40 pick.
There’s a chance that both players will have a major influence on the future of the Eagles’ secondary, but there’s also a chance that both will play significant snaps as rookies.
So they saw the benefit of learning a lot in the spring. And none of them seemed overcome in the five training sessions open to reporters in OTAs and minicamps.
Mitchell primarily played outside cornerback in OTAs and minicamp, but got some reps as a cheap linebacker. DeJean really showed off his versatility, splitting his reps between outside cornerback, nickel cornerback and he also got some snaps at cheap linebacker.
“It’s been good,” DeJean said. “I’m just trying to absorb and learn as much as I can right now, whether it’s on or off. I have no problem with having a lot to do. I’m here to play football and learn football. The more positions I learn, I feel like it helps me on the field when I’m in one of those positions. Just knowing what these other positions are doing and where I can get my help.”
Eventually, the Eagles want to find a home for DeJean, whether that means one position or two, defensive backs coach Christian Parker said. DeJean said Parker told him the same thing, but DeJean also likes learning different spots because it helps him better understand the defense as a whole.
“I have no problem with having a lot of things to do,” DeJean said. “I’m here to play football and learn football. The more positions I learn, I feel like it helps me on the field when I’m in one of those positions. Just knowing what these other positions are doing and where I can get my help.”
DeJean still wants to get to know the linebacker and safety spots on this defense, even though he’s not playing there.
“Yeah, it definitely helps,” DeJean said. “Understanding how the entire defense works allows you to learn more and play faster when you understand these things.”
Before this year, the only defensive general manager Howie Roseman had selected in the top-40 was Nate Allen, at No. 37 in 2010. Roseman ended up using two top-40 picks on defensive backs this season.
Mitchell and DeJean got to know each other a little in the pre-draft process, having been considered two of the best cornerbacks in the class. And now having each other as teammates has helped with the transition to the NFL.
“When he got drafted, I was happy because we’re going into this together, we’re learning from each other,” Mitchell said. “I’m asking him questions, he’s asking me questions about things. And we also have older guys to help us, so I feel like it’s really good to be in this position together.”
Both Mitchell and DeJean are expected to participate in exciting position battles this summer in training camp. Mitchell is competing to be the starting outside corner alongside Darius Slay. And DeJean is likely fighting to be the starting cornerback.
Both Mitchell and DeJean face stiff competition. Mitchell will have to beat out Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers for the job and DeJean will have to beat out Avonte Maddox and Tyler Hall if he wants to be the starter.
The two rookies have been supportive of their veteran teammates since joining the team and have been asking a lot of questions.
Besides, they haven’t been talking much.
“I feel like I’ve always been like this. Really quiet, reserved guy,” DeJean said. “I feel like Q is even quieter than me. I feel like we’re both just trying to learn as much as we can from the guys that have been here and played in this league longer than we’ve been here. Just trying to learn as much as possible, take it all in and really have fun, connect with the guys, our new teammates.
“It’s our first few weeks here, so connect with them and get to know them more off the field as well. Really just trying to learn every day that we’re here.”
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