Cooper DeJean reacts to video of Eagles’ catch move originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles really wanted Cooper DeJean and provided evidence of that last week when they released video of the draft room from Friday night when they traded up to acquire him.
It was clear how much the Eagles wanted DeJean. And it had to be a pleasant experience for the 21-year-old defender to see that.
“That’s really cool,” DeJean said. “Seeing those guys, how much they wanted to bring me here. Like I said before, this is the place I wanted to be throughout the entire pre-draft process, especially after my visit here. So to see that they wanted me here too was really cool.”
The clip shows general manager Howie Roseman working the phones in an attempt to elevate DeJean in the draft. But it also shows the emotional changes a team can go through during a draft.
The Eagles thought they were going to be able to get DeJean, but they really didn’t, and then they made it happen.
Initially, the Eagles were working to get the 39th pick from the Panthers and the potential deal was 50, 53, 210 for 39, 65, 240. Carolina instead accepted a trade offer from the Rams.
When the Rams were on the clock, the Eagles thought they had lost DeJean.
“Ah, that’s it,” Roseman said.
“Unfortunately, that’s it,” owner Jeffrey Lurie agreed.
But then, when the Rams’ selection of Florida State coach Braden Fiske was announced, the Eagles’ draft room erupted. Roseman let out a huge “YES!” and celebrated by raising his fist.
Roseman then quickly got the Commanders back on the phone and pulled the trigger on the trade up to 40 to get DeJean.
Lurie told DeJean after the pick that the Eagles were “obsessed” with signing him on Day 2.
DeJean has said that his 30th visit to Philadelphia really cemented how much he wanted to play for the Eagles. He said there is a “family atmosphere” at the NovaCare Complex and he wanted to be a part of it.
Meanwhile, DeJean said the Rams didn’t have much contact with him during the pre-draft process. Sometimes NFL teams convince themselves that the rest of the league sees the draft the same way they do, but that’s not always the case.
It’s a little curious that the Rams traded up to 39 against the Commanders to select a defensive tackle despite how loaded the Commanders are at the position, especially after selecting Johnny Newton early in the second round.
But it was clear at that point the Eagles thought they had lost their man.
They thought the Rams were about to draft DeJean.
“But I’m glad they didn’t,” DeJean said with a smile. “I’m glad to be here now.”
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