Eagles emerging superstar earns national recognition for breakout rookie season

The Philadelphia Eagles could be a sleeping giant entering the second half of the regular season, thanks in part to a pair of game-changing rookies who are performing among the best in football.

Forget the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. Philly’s first two draft picks in 2024 could have an outside shot at earning All-Pro nods.

Entering Week 11, the frontrunner is first-rounder Quinyon Mitchell, whose season-long body of work has him squarely in the mix for DROY. Mitchell’s play continues to earn national recognition, with the latest coming Wednesday from ESPN.

Multiple contributors from the worldwide leader released their top-10 rookie rankings through the first 10 weeks, and Mitchell made the list at No. 7 overall. Here was senior writer Jeff Legwold’s take on Philly’s emerging superstar:

Mitchell has shown more of a comfort level in man-to-man coverage than some expected, simply because of how often he played off the ball at Toledo. He has played well enough that opposing quarterbacks don't spend a lot of time looking his way despite his inexperience. Mitchell has played 96% of the Eagles' defensive snaps and has not surrendered a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage. Among all corners who have been targeted at least 40 times in coverage, Mitchell ranks eighth in completion percentage allowed (52.3%).

Mitchell was ESPN’s second-ranked defensive player, behind only pass rusher Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams. He’s yet to record his first pro interception, but his stickiness in coverage and ability to stay on the field through the first nine games has been lauded.

Philly’s other emerging rookie, Cooper DeJean, was listed in ESPN’s “just missed” column. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star has made an instant impact since supplanting Avante Maddox as the starting nickel. The Eagles are 5-0 in games DeJean has started, and he’s amassed 19 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery over that span.

The Eagles embarrassed NFC East rival Dallas last week, and DeJean shutting down All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb in the slot was among the top storylines.

No CB has allowed fewer yards per target than Cooper DeJean 😳@NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/nbBfe1Zed0

Mitchell has the edge over his teammate right now based on his 2024 body of work, but the individual awards are meaningless. General manager Howie Roseman has struck gold with a pair of future franchise pillars in the secondary, and Eagles fans should be over the moon.

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