As the new NFL season quickly approaches, a number of second-year defenders are set to have huge impacts on their respective teams in 2023. Few players have boosted their draft stock as much as Edgerrin Cooper, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Their extraordinary performances have so far won the love of fans and dazzled the experts. What sets each player apart is both their skills and experiences, which at times can greatly differentiate one from the other. Together, their contributions will make an important difference shoring up their defenses.
Edgerrin Cooper, who earned an All-Pro vote despite a rotational role and a hamstring injury, has transitioned from being a sub-package player to a key starter. Quinyon Mitchell, recognized as the best rookie defensive player at midseason last year, played an impressive 699 snaps, making him a reliable asset on defense. At the same time, Cooper DeJean quickly proved to be one of the best slot defenders in the league. Read on for a look behind these players’ paths and prospects, plus a deeper dive on some of the other top defensive standouts.
Edgerrin Cooper’s Evolution as a Player
Overall rookie season Edgerrin Cooper It’s been a dramatic and impressive rookie season for Cooper. He had considerable hurdles to overcome, including a hamstring injury that limited his playing time. Even with that interruption, there he was earning an All-Pro vote! His penchant for breathtaking plays at the biggest moments made him a star and a warrior.
During that late-season stretch run last year, Cooper went from being a solid sub-package defender to an every-down phalanx on the interior. His growth has been under a microscope by team’s fans and media alike. Through it all, Cooper’s focus to get better and evolve has turned him into one of the players to watch this season.
Anchoring his elite defensive prowess is his deceivingly aggressive playing style that routinely has opposing teams looking surprised. Observers note that Cooper’s work ethic and focus have positioned him for an even more significant role in the upcoming season.
Quinyon Mitchell’s Defensive Prowess
Quinyon Mitchell has quickly become a standout among rookies, having been considered the best rookie defensive player at midseason last year. Mitchell’s 699 snaps represented 66% of all possible defensive plays. He pointed the camera at himself and, more than ever before, he rapped about his own uniqueness.
One of his most mind-blowing stats was the target rate he allowed. Last year, just 13.4% of his coverage snaps ended in a target, which is lower than the league average of 14.4%. That power to deter hostile signal-callers from tossing the ball in his area perfectly underscores why he’s such a game-changing cornerback.
Mitchell’s breakout season last year helped him earn a spot on last season’s First Team All-NEAC team, and he’s looking to improve upon that this year. Like any great athlete, his instincts push him to make the right split second decision. Combined with his understanding of offensive schemes, these judgment calls can change the momentum of a game.
The Rise of Cooper DeJean
The Iowa product grabbed most of those headlines last season, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top slot defenders. His skill set places him among the top 20 defensive backs overall, showcasing his versatility and effectiveness in various coverage scenarios.
Though his film is anything but perfect, DeJean has flashed a bit of an edgy demeanor in press coverage over the middle against more diminutive receivers. As analysts like KTC’s Dave Johnson remind us, he does not always shine through in wide open space. These specificities in his play are going to be hugely important as he works to round out his game further this season.
The battle for defensive backs spots is cut-throat and how the Iowa native keeps his head in front will decide his success. And all this as he prepares for yet another record-breaking season. If he wants to hold on to his crown as a premier defender, he’ll need to clean up his coverage techniques.
Other Notable Defenders
Cooper, Mitchell, and DeJean steal the show. In the process, Jalyx Hunt, Evan Williams, Kamren Kinchens, and Byron Murphy II fall woefully short of the extremely lofty expectations I have been touting them on. How Clark and Biadasz evolve will be key in strengthening their teams’ o-lines as they take on the rigors of a long season ahead.
Arnold, another rookie cornerback, made a good impression last season. He was the most used man coverage rookie with 290 total snaps in man coverage per NFL Next Gen Stats. Even though he played more than 700 snaps, Arnold only tallied 10 pass breakups and didn’t make a single interception. This is alarming since it obviously indicates he needs to improve his ball production moving forward.
Lassiter proved to be an elite completion percentage allowed when thrown at—an absurd 45.6%, which was nearly 24% lower than expected. Meanwhile, Sainristil’s performance included a completion percentage just 2.7% below expectation and a hawk rate of 16.1%, underscoring his potential impact on defense.
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