Exclusive: Philadelphia Eagles’ Cooper DeJean Reveals NFL’s Toughest QB and WR He’s Faced

Cooper DeJean is one of the top young players on the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 22-year-old played a key role in the team's Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, notching a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Eagles a commanding 17-0 lead in the second quarter.

It was DeJean's first career interception and it occurred in the biggest game of the year.

The Iowa native is a versatile, all-around athlete who not only plays the role of nickel back, but also serves as the Eagles' punt returner. 

His Idol Growing Up 

Unsurprisingly, he names Deion Sanders as one of the cornerbacks he looked up to while growing up.

Sanders also played multiple roles, including at wide receiver and as a punt and kick returner during his career.

"Deion Sanders, just as a player overall, just what he's able to do when he was on the football field," says DeJean in a one-on-one interview. 

"Watching highlights of him from a punt return standpoint, even on offence and defence, the way he's able to anticipate things, and what he does when he gets the ball in his hands. He's pretty fun to watch," he told SportsBoom.com. 

DeJean, who was born in 2003, also names top defensive backs of the 2000's and early 2010's as guys he looked up to. Champ Bailey, arguably the best cornerback of the 2000's, and Troy Polamalu, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, are others that DeJean molded his game after.

"Champ Bailey, another great cornerback, and Troy Polamalu, just watching him and the way he he played the game, he was all he was all over the field, always flying around. I would probably say those guys."

DeJean Names Toughest Quarterback To Play Against

The second-year cornerback had a strong rookie campaign, notching 51 tackles in addition to one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. 

He also started all four of the Eagles' playoff games.

When asked who was the toughest quarterback he matched up against in his rookie campaign, DeJean gives one answer, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Eagles narrowly defeated the Rams, 28-22, in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.

Stafford threw for 324 passing yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in the snow-filled conditions of Philadelphia.

"Toughest quarterback is probably, Matthew Stafford," says DeJean. 

"He's got a got a cannon, he can do so many different things. I remember there was one specific play in NFC Divisional game. I believe where it was kind of a high low and I was covering Puka (Nacua) and I thought he was looking this way. He threw it no look right to Puka."

"I had fallen off thinking he was throwing it this way. That was a pretty crazy moment for me."

Ja'Marr Chase Is Toughest NFL WR To Cover

When asked who the toughest receiver in the NFL is to cover, DeJean goes to the other conference with Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase. 

DeJean makes sure to mention that's when not including Eagles receivers, A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.

The Eagles defeated the Bengals, 37-17, last season. 

However, Chase caught nine balls for 54 yards and one touchdown. 

"At wide receiver, outside of the guys on our team, probably Ja'marr Chase," says DeJean. 

"Just because he says sticky in his routes, and he's got a good change of pace. It was a tough, tough matchup for us. Plus the connection that he's got with Joe Burrow is pretty special."