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“He’s Got a Feel for the Game You Can’t Teach” - Eagles Defender Turning Versatility into Power

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Philadelphia, PA – August, 2025
When the Eagles drafted Cooper DeJean, they knew they were getting one of college football’s most versatile defenders. What they might not have known — at least not yet — was just how well his instincts would translate at the next level, and how quickly.

Officially, DeJean is a nickel corner. That’s the title he carried out of Iowa and the position he played masterfully during OTAs and the early stages of camp. But unofficially? He’s something much more valuable: a chess piece.

Under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio — known across the league for unlocking hybrid talent — DeJean is now quietly taking reps at safety. And he’s not just holding his own. He’s turning heads.

“He’s got a feel for the game you can’t teach,” Fangio said. “We knew he was special as a nickel, but the way he sees the field at safety? That’s different. That’s rare. There was this one rep the other day — a route we gave up last year more than once — and he covered it like he’s been playing back there for a decade. I didn’t even need to say a word. That’s when you know.”

For DeJean, the learning curve has been steep — but fast. After spending OTAs rotating between nickel, outside corner, and safety, he’s now primarily practicing at nickel and safety in camp. The move isn’t just for depth; it’s tactical. With questions surrounding the health and availability of Sydney Brown and rookie Drew Mukuba, the Eagles are evaluating contingencies — and DeJean is emerging as a reliable answer.

“It took a few practices to get comfortable back there,” DeJean admitted. “Understanding the space, reading run-pass differently — it’s a new perspective. But now, I’m starting to feel it. The position makes more sense with every rep.”

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Fangio, renowned for revitalizing the careers of players like Zack Baun and Andrew Van Ginkel, quickly saw the special potential in this second-year DB. The staff isn’t rushing the transition, but they know the value of optionality — especially in a defense that uses five-man fronts and multiple personnel groupings.

“Just like I thought, he can be a good safety,” Fangio said. “If we ever need him there full-time, I won’t lose a minute of sleep.”

DeJean isn’t lobbying for a new role. He’s simply playing wherever he’s told — and excelling. And that quiet confidence, that ability to adjust on the fly, is exactly why the Eagles believe they have something brewing in their secondary.

In Philadelphia, versatility isn’t a luxury. It’s a requirement. And Cooper DeJean? He’s already checking every box.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side