5 Eagles thoughts: Cooper DeJean’s rise, turnover margin gains and more

The Eagles have rattled off four straight wins, are now 6-2 and are currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. The offense is a collection of highlight machines. The defense is swarming. The team still has something to worry about, but in honor of another winning Monday, here’s a new column about the Eagles thoughts currently on my mind…

Cooper DeJean’s star is rising

Nine weeks into the NFL season, who do you think is Pro Football Focus’ top-rated cover cornerback?

It’s not Marlon Humphrey. It’s not Jalen Ramsey. It’s the Eagles’ second-round rookie Cooper DeJean.

Is DeJean the best lockdown corner in sports? No, of course not, but the grades support the eye test that DeJean has made an immediate impact since entering the Eagles’ lineup as the cornerback of choice – a huge, huge improvement over the veteran Avonte Maddox.

DeJean had several pass breakups in which the drive was fatal in the Eagles’ 28-23 victory over the Jaguars. He has played 97 coverage snaps this season. DeJean only gives up 6.1 yards per reception when the ball has gone to his man. Among cornerbacks who have been on the field as often as DeJean, that rate is third-best in the NFL, according to PFF. DeJean has yet to receive a penalty this season.

The Eagles’ defense ranks ninth in points scored, third in total yards and seventh in passing yards. The addition of DeJean and his fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell has transformed the Eagles’ secondary in conjunction with new defensive coordinator coaches Vic Fangio and passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Christian Parker.

I’ve written this a few times trying to temper expectations for young players, but with early returns about halfway through their rookie campaigns, the Mitchell-DeJean draft combination is starting to feel more and more similar to when the Birds grabbed both of them Lito Sheppard And Sheldon Brown in 2002.

The Eagles finally win the turnover margin

In the Eagles’ first four games, when they were 2-2, they turned the ball over eight times. Since then, the Birds have held a 4-0 lead and have had only one turnover, which was due to a blatant refereeing error against the Jaguars. The sales margin has turned around for the team:

The Eagles’ turnover differential was +8 when they reached the Super Bowl in 2022, the third-best mark in the NFL. Last season, in the midst of an embarrassing losing streak, the score was -10. When it comes to turnovers, luck plays a big role, but when guys come through on interceptions and other balls Jalen hurts If he plays flawless football himself, he will do wonders when it comes to the Eagles’ ceiling, whether it’s a simple playoff contender or a true Super Bowl contender.

Could Saquon Barkley be Offensive Player of the Year?

Saquon Barkley had a 189-yard, two-touchdown game in that win over the Jaguars and maybe, just maybe, did the wildest thing I’ve ever seen an Eagles player do:

Barkley is already up to 925 rushing yards this season and has over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. He has eight touchdowns. His 5.9 yards per carry is the best rate of his career. He’s a superstar. Can he be Offensive Player of the Year in 2024?

He will fight for this in Baltimore with his fellow All-World running back Derrick Henry. Henry continued to be a force in his first year at a new location. With Baltimore, Henry leads the league in rushing yards (1,052), yards from scrimmage (1,145) and touchdowns (13).

In any other year, Barkley might have run away with this, but Henry is putting up incredible numbers. That’s what the betting markets say. At FanDuel Sportsbook, Henry is the favorite for the award at -150 and Barkley is second at +200. The situation is similar at DraftKings Sportsbook: Henry is at -125 and Barkley is again at +200.

When things go too much in one direction in the NFL, sometimes the game returns. With defenses finally adjusting to a pass-happy league, smart organizations like the Eagles and Ravens have paid running backs well, with immediate results that speak for themselves.

MORE: 10 awards from Eagles-Jaguars

Jahan Dotson’s highlight catch shouldn’t be forgotten

Barkley immediately had his iconic reverse hurdle throw against Jacksonville. DeVonta Smith had an incredible one-handed touchdown grab. Nakobe Dean had a quasi-walk-off spring interception. Jahan Dotson hasn’t produced much or really gotten the opportunity to do so since arriving in Philadelphia, but he also made a great catch on Sunday:

This means great awareness and great body control.

Maybe this game can build some trust between Hurts and Dotson and the WR3 role can be expanded in the future.

It’s Dallas week. Will the Cowboys start a backup quarterback?

The Cowboys are currently 3-5. Quarterback Dak Prescott gave Dallas the Week 9 loss to the Falcons. Prescott suffered injuries to both his hamstring and throwing hand. It remains to be seen whether he will be ready to go when the Cowboys host the Eagles in Week 10.

During the Prescott era, the Eagles faced Prescott’s backup QB three times and were 2-1 in those games. Prescott’s current backup is Cooper Rush, whom the Eagles defeated at Lincoln Financial Field in 2022.

The 30-year-old Rush is 5-1 as an NFL starter and has completed 60.0 percent of his passes throughout his career, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt.

The betting markets appear to be preparing for a Dallas backup to play, as the Eagles are nearly a touchdown favorite at -6.5 on the road against the Cowboys next Sunday (via DraftKings Sportsbook).

MORE: The Eagles improve to 6-2 despite stumbling in the second half in the win over the Jaguars

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