Cooper DeJean is out there playing like an absolute lockdown machine for the Philadelphia Eagles, hitting the 75th percentile in on-ball grade and the 60th percentile in preventing separation just three games into the 2026 season. That’s according to a recent Pro Football Focus chart, and it paints a picture of pure reliability for Philadelphia. But flip the coin, and Andrew Mukuba is already stuck way down at the 16th percentile in on-ball grade and the 40th percentile in separation prevention. The difference between these two safeties is night and day, and it’s making the back end of that Eagles defense look completely different right out of the gate.
DeJean Is The Hybrid Hero Nobody Saw Coming
Seriously, DeJean is sitting comfortably above the league average in both key coverage categories, which usually hovers around the 49th percentile. He’s not just preventing receivers from getting open; he’s making plays when the ball actually arrives. The guy limits space and stays productive when he’s targeted. This isn’t just a fluke, either. His role is so hybrid it’s wild: he can line up in the slot, cover tight ends and receivers, handle zone responsibilities, and even play safety. His awareness and technique are off the charts, letting him succeed wherever they put him. He totally understands route combinations, stays glued to receivers, and consistently competes through the catch. When the rest of your secondary is struggling with communication and coverage discipline, having a guy like DeJean, who’s been one of their most dependable coverage defenders, is absolutely invaluable.
Mukuba’s Early Season Struggles Are Already A Huge Problem
Now, for Mukuba, it’s a completely different story. That 40th percentile in separation prevention is concerning, for sure, but it’s not totally disastrous, he’s still somewhat close to the middle of the pack. The real red flag is that 16th percentile on-ball grade. That’s a brutal number, and it tells you he’s just not finishing coverage opportunities consistently. Even when he’s in a good position to challenge a pass, the results are going the receiver’s way too often. It matches exactly what Philadelphia has been seeing through these first three games: explosive plays surrendered, missed opportunities to break up passes, and absolutely zero forced turnovers. Mukuba isn’t the *only* problem, obviously, but his spot on this chart explains a lot about why the back end of that defense just isn’t making enough impact plays. Young safeties need time to get better with angles, route recognition, and timing at the catch point, for sure. Mukuba’s got the athletic ability to recover, but relying on recovery speed isn’t a sustainable plan when you’re supposed to be arriving early and playing through the receiver’s hands.
This huge split between DeJean being above average in both areas and Mukuba being way below, especially at the catch point, is telling. The Eagles have a developing safety whose struggles are clearly contributing to their defensive woes. They need Mukuba to catch up, and fast, if they want their secondary to start making the impact plays they desperately need.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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