When the Giants Selected Malik Nabers Sixth in the NFL Draft — the Eagles Had An Answer.
Not long when an afternoon of confusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense on an October afternoon — Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean swapped jerseys. It wasn’t just a sign of friendship for the two rookies that were drafted one round apart in April of 2024 — it was the sign of a partnership for years to come.
NFL rosters are like a timed chess match. When you have a chance to lock up young pieces to fill positions of need, you do it. When your oldest NFC East rival goes for the big play receiver — you prepare a counter move. When the New York Giants drafted Malik Nabers out of LSU with the sixth overall pick — the Eagles countered by selecting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. It wasn’t just to neutralize Nabers — but also to contend with CeeDee Lamb and Terry McLaurin.
When the Eagles selected the pair in the NFL Draft of April 2024 — the franchises plan was to lock up the secondary for the future. DeJean was Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, a Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, and a unanimous consensus All American at the University of Iowa. Quinyon Mitchell was a two-time All Conference Selection at the University of Toledo.
With Nabers now active for Sunday’s matchup in New York — the stage is set for a battle this Sunday and beyond as an epic heavyweight fight between Nabers and the Eagles secondary. Mano a mano. Rookie vs. Rookie.
Franchise players vs. franchise player.
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