Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell among the five finalists for AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Philly Sports and Culture Writer

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) tackle Washington Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (74) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Philadelphia Eagles Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are among the five finalists for the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, the NFL announced Thursday.

The finalists for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year! #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/sULpgAsMsO

— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2025

A lot has to go right to transform a defense that allowed 252.7 passing yards/game in 2023 (second-worst in the NFL) into a defense that allowed 174.2 passing yards/game in 2024 (best in the NFL). But that's exactly what the Birds did.

New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio--who was named a finalist for AP Assistant Coach of the Year--deserves much of the credit for the turnaround.

But drafting Mitchell 22nd overall and DeJean 40th overall gave Fangio a couple excellent tools to work with.

Fangio was recently asked whether he had any concerns about heading into the playoffs with two rookies in the secondary. "Well, they are not rookies," the defensive coordinator said. "In Q’s case, he's played 16 games, and Coop's played 12, 13, whatever it is. So no. I think they are ready. They have played in a lot of big games this season against a lot of the quality opponents, and I think they will be ready."

QUINYON MITCHELL x COOPER DEJEAN

COLD 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/hqL0g7krTP
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 13, 2024

Mitchell, DeJean, and Fangio aren't the only Eagles in the running for individual awards. Linebacker Zack Baun is a finalist for AP Defensive Player of the Year and running back Saquon Barkley is a finalist for AP Offensive Player of the Year. Barkley also remains in the running for NFL MVP.

The finalists for AP Most Valuable Player presented by @Invisalign! #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/bcemPLMfjo
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2025

Every Eagles player or coach up for an award was added during a single off-season. Impressive work by the Eagles organization.

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John Foley

Before joining OnPattison.com, John Foley was a Phillies beat writer for PHLY Sports and the founder of a popular independent Phillies newsletter. He has provided nontraditional local sports coverage since 2013. Foley grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. He's a proud product of the Philadelphia public school system, a Penn State grad, and a Georgetown Law alum. A licensed attorney, he sits on the board of the Papermill Food Hub, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping families in need throughout the city. Find him on your favorite social media: @2008philz.