Key Highlights
- Eagles cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell both named 1st-team all-pro for the first time.
- The Eagles are only the second team with two 1st-team all-pro cornerbacks in the same year since 2019.
- DeJean, at 22 years old, is the Eagles’ youngest 1st-team all-pro since a tight end named Charle Young in 1973.
- Mitchell and DeJean are the first pair of Eagles players 24 or younger to receive all-pro honors in the same year.
Eagles’ Defensive Success Recognized with All-Pro Honors
The Philadelphia Eagles have been making waves this season, and their defensive prowess has just received another significant accolade. Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, both cornerbacks for the team, have been named to the Associated Press 1st-team all-pro list, marking a remarkable achievement for the Eagles.
DeJean’s Breakthrough Season
In his sophomore season, DeJean has proven himself as an integral part of the Eagles’ defense. At just 22 years old, he has become the team’s youngest 1st-team all-pro since Charle Young in 1973. His performance earned him a spot in the relatively new slot cornerback category, which was created in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, DeJean played 657 snaps in the slot and another 226 at outside corner this season.
Mitchell’s Consistent Excellence
Meanwhile, Mitchell has been a steady presence on the field for the Eagles. While he didn’t have any interceptions during the regular season, his defensive skills were evident as he contributed to the team’s strong pass defense. Mitchell was selected to his first Pro Bowl and had two key interceptions in the playoffs last year.
Team’s Defense Leading the Way
The Eagles’ defense has been one of their strongest suits this season, allowing an NFL-low 56.8 percent completion percentage and just 14 passing touchdowns. The duo of DeJean and Mitchell played crucial roles in maintaining this impressive record. DeJean out-pointed Derwin James of the Chargers for 1st-team slot honors with 86 points, while Mitchell finished with 84 points, second most among cornerbacks behind Derek Stingley Jr. of the Texans who had 130 points.
Historic Milestone for Eagles
The recognition of both DeJean and Mitchell as 1st-team all-pros is a historic milestone for the Philadelphia Eagles. It marks the first time since 2002 that the team has selected two defensive players who went on to earn 1st-team all-pro honors in the same draft. The only other teams with similar achievements are the 1961 Chargers and the 2018 Chargers.
DeJean’s performance in the slot has been particularly notable, with a 63.8 defensive passer rating when lined up there, according to Pro Football Focus.
He added four tackles for loss and a forced fumble to his interception totals. Mitchell had an even lower defensive passer rating at 64.3 among corners targeted at least 20 times this season.
Future Implications
The Eagles’ strong defensive lineup, spearheaded by DeJean and Mitchell, has not gone unnoticed by fans and analysts alike. Their performance could set the stage for continued success in upcoming seasons. As the team looks to build on their current roster, the contributions of these young stars will undoubtedly be a key factor.
The Eagles’ all-pro honors underscore the importance of developing strong defensive players. With DeJean and Mitchell leading the way, the Eagles can look forward to a promising future on that side of the ball.
