Cooper DeJean: The 40th Pick Who Turned Into Philadelphia’s Best Bargain

February 9, 2025. Cooper DeJean turns 22 years old on the biggest stage in football. Fifty-seven seconds left in the first half of Super Bowl LIX. He steps in front of Patrick Mahomes, snatches the ball out of the air, and takes it 38 yards to the house.

Youngest player in Super Bowl history to score a pick-six. Best birthday present a rookie ever gave himself.

That single play tells you everything about Cooper DeJean. He wasn’t a first-round headline. He was a second-round steal at pick 40 who now grades out as one of the best defensive backs in football. He plays quarterback, corner, safety, and returner — whatever the Eagles need. And in less than two full seasons, he’s gone from “who?” to All-Pro.

4. BIOGRAPHY DATA TABLE

5. NARRATIVE BIOGRAPHY

Small Town, Big Arm: The Iowa Roots

Cooper DeJean’s hometown of Odebolt, Iowa doesn’t have a single stoplight. Just stop signs and a whole lot of cornfields. That’s where the story starts — not some football factory, but a four-sport star who did everything at OABCIG High School.

He was the quarterback. He threw for 3,447 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior while rushing for another 1,235 yards. He also ran track, winning the Iowa Class 2A state title in the 100-meter dash and long jump. That track speed shows up on tape today.

Despite the gaudy numbers, big-time offers didn’t flood in. DeJean picked the hometown Hawkeyes over South Dakota State, and Iowa moved him to defense. Best decision anyone made in that building.

He’s not the only DeJean chasing a football dream. Cooper DeJean’s brother, Jaxx, is a rising recruit at the same high school and has already committed to Iowa — following directly in Cooper’s footsteps. A middle brother, Beckett, played college ball at South Dakota.

The College Turning Point: Building an All-American

At Iowa, the transition from high school quarterback to shutdown defender wasn’t instant. DeJean played special teams as a freshman in 2021, then broke out as a starter in 2022 with Second-Team All-Big Ten honors.

2023 changed everything. DeJean scored touchdowns on both an interception return and a punt return in the same season — a rare feat that got national attention. He walked away a Unanimous All-American, the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, and the conference’s Return Specialist of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.

Then came a leg injury before the draft that scared some teams off. The Eagles didn’t blink. Howie Roseman traded up, moving off picks No. 50, 53, and 161 to snag DeJean at No. 40 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Dominating the NFL: Contract, Stats, and a Championship

The Cooper DeJean contract is a rookie deal that’s aged like fine wine for Philadelphia. He signed a four-year, roughly $9.2 million contract, including a $3.5 million signing bonus — pocket change for what he’s delivered. As a second-round pick, the deal carries no fifth-year option, meaning DeJean is set to hit free agency after the 2027 season unless Philly locks him up early. Given his trajectory, an extension conversation is coming fast.

Cooper DeJean’s stats back up the hype. In his rookie year, he posted 37 solo tackles and that unforgettable Super Bowl pick-six. Year two was even better: 58 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, and a First-Team All-Pro nod as he locked down the slot for Vic Fangio’s defense. Across two seasons, he’s racked up 144 total tackles, 22 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries — elite production for a defensive back still on his rookie contract.

He’s also become a fan-favorite off the field. The cooper dejean jersey is one of the hotter sellers in Philadelphia, and his flowing hair has spawned its own trend — the Cooper DeJean haircut (call it Mullet Szn) is all over TikTok, with fans recreating the look at barbershops nationwide. Eagles fans have even turned his pick-six highlight into their own hype anthem at the Linc.

FAQs

Who is Cooper DeJean dating?

As of mid-2026, Cooper DeJean’s girlfriend is reportedly Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Abby Summers. The two went public around the 2026 Kentucky Derby after being spotted together at Iowa’s Elite Eight game in March 2026. This followed a previous relationship with Steph Wilfawn and casual dating rumors involving WWE star Nikki Bella in late 2025, which were never confirmed as serious by either party.

How tall is Cooper DeJean and how fast is his 40 time?

DeJean stands 6’0″ and weighs 198 pounds. He ran an official 4.42-second 40-yard dash at his Iowa Pro Day in 2024, along with a 38.5-inch vertical jump — elite testing numbers that helped confirm his first-round talent despite falling to pick 40.

What is Cooper DeJean’s contract situation with the Eagles?

DeJean is on his four-year rookie contract worth roughly $9.2 million, signed after the 2024 draft. The deal runs through the 2027 season with no fifth-year option, so Philadelphia will likely need to negotiate a lucrative extension to keep their All-Pro corner long-term.