The NFL Draft is an event full of tension, anticipation, and life-changing moments for young athletes stepping into the professional arena. However, for rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, the 2024 NFL Draft brought an unexpected twist: a cruel prank that turned what should have been a moment of triumph into one of confusion and bewilderment.

Yet, despite this unexpected hurdle, DeJean’s journey didn’t end in disappointment. Instead, it concluded with the Philadelphia Eagles scoring one of the biggest steals of the draft.

A Cruel Joke on the Biggest Night of His Life

The 2024 NFL Draft was filled with excitement as fans, teams, and players gathered to witness the selection of the next wave of NFL talent. For DeJean, the draft represented the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.

Hailing from the University of Iowa, DeJean was widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs in the draft class, with many analysts projecting him as a first-round pick. The anticipation surrounding where he would land was palpable.

However, what should have been a moment of sheer joy quickly turned sour when DeJean received a phone call on the first night of the draft.

As captured in a new behind-the-scenes video released by G.O.A.T Farm Sports, DeJean was elated when he answered the phone, thinking he was speaking with representatives from the Green Bay Packers, a team known for its storied history and passionate fanbase.

The room around DeJean, filled with friends, family, and supporters, erupted in excitement as he answered the call. The energy was electric, the kind of moment every young athlete dreams of.

But as DeJean continued to speak with the person on the other end of the line, something didn’t seem quite right. He asked who he was speaking with, and just a second later, he realized it was all a cruel joke.

“Wow, it’s a prank, it’s a prank,” DeJean exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of shock and disbelief. The room, which had been filled with anticipation and joy just moments before, burst into laughter, not at DeJean, but at the sheer absurdity of the situation.

DeJean, always one to take things in stride, managed to laugh along with everyone else, but the disappointment was evident. The person on the other end of the line had pretended to be with the Green Bay Packers, a team that DeJean would have been thrilled to join.

From Disappointment to Redemption

As the first round of the draft continued, DeJean’s name remained uncalled. The Packers, as it turned out, selected Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan at No. 25 overall, while DeJean was left waiting for his opportunity.

Despite the high hopes and glowing projections, DeJean wasn’t selected on the first night, a reality that can be crushing for any player with dreams of NFL stardom.

For DeJean, the disappointment of not being selected in the first round was compounded by the earlier prank. However, he didn’t let it break his spirit.

DeJean’s resilience and character, qualities that had been praised by coaches and teammates alike during his college career, came to the forefront as he prepared for Day 2 of the draft.

Little did DeJean know that his fortunes were about to change in a big way, thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles’ Draft-Day Maneuvering

The Philadelphia Eagles, led by general manager Howie Roseman, entered Day 2 of the NFL Draft with a clear objective: they wanted Cooper DeJean.

The team had been high on DeJean throughout the pre-draft process, recognizing his unique blend of athleticism, intelligence, and versatility. DeJean, who excelled as both a cornerback and safety at Iowa, was the kind of player who could bolster the Eagles’ secondary and make an immediate impact.

The Eagles’ desire to land DeJean was so strong that they were prepared to trade up to ensure they could draft him. However, as Day 2 of the draft unfolded, it seemed that their plans might be derailed.

The Los Angeles Rams had traded up with the Carolina Panthers and held the No. 39 overall pick, just one spot ahead of the Eagles. Roseman and the Eagles’ front office feared the worst, believing that the Rams were poised to snatch DeJean right out from under them.

“Ah, that’s it,” Roseman was heard saying in a video released after the draft, convinced that the Rams would select DeJean at No. 39. The tension in the Eagles’ draft room was palpable as everyone waited to see what the Rams would do.

But then, in a surprising turn of events, the Rams passed on DeJean, opting instead to select defensive tackle Braden Fiske. For the Eagles, it was a moment of jubilation.

Their plans, which had seemed on the verge of collapse, were suddenly back on track. Roseman didn’t waste a moment. He quickly got on the phone with the Eagles’ team representatives to finalize a trade up to the No. 40 pick, ensuring that DeJean would be theirs.

When the call went through and DeJean was officially an Eagle, Roseman’s excitement was impossible to contain.

“Yes!” he exclaimed, celebrating the successful acquisition of a player who many had believed would go in the first round. For the Eagles, DeJean represented an automatic win, a first-round talent secured on Day 2 of the draft.

“Cooper, it’s Howie Roseman, brother,” Roseman said during his draft call with DeJean. “You’re a f—— Eagle. Let’s go! You sat way too long.” The enthusiasm in Roseman’s voice was matched by the relief and joy on DeJean’s end.

After the emotional rollercoaster of the previous night, DeJean was finally where he belonged—ready to don the green and white of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Future Looks Bright for DeJean and the Eagles

While DeJean’s draft journey was anything but smooth, it ultimately ended in a way that could prove to be a perfect fit for both player and team. The Eagles, who had suffered from a lackluster defensive performance in 2023, needed a player of DeJean’s caliber to help shore up their secondary.

In DeJean, they found a player who not only has the physical tools to succeed at the NFL level but also possesses the mental toughness to overcome adversity—something he demonstrated in spades during the draft.

Despite the initial setback of being pranked and not being selected in the first round, DeJean’s landing with the Eagles was a win-win situation.

The Eagles got a player who could have easily gone in the first round, and DeJean joined a team that values his skill set and is eager to see him develop into a star.

However, the story doesn’t end there. As the Eagles prepared for their first preseason matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, excitement was building around the prospect of seeing DeJean in action.

Unfortunately, Eagles fans will have to wait a bit longer to see their new defensive back take the field. DeJean has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, an ailment that is keeping him out of the preseason opener.

While this is a setback, both DeJean and the Eagles are focused on the long-term. The preseason is important, but ensuring that DeJean is fully healthy for the regular season is the top priority.

The Eagles’ coaching staff is likely to take a cautious approach with DeJean’s recovery, aiming to have him ready to contribute at a high level when the games start to count.

For DeJean, the path to NFL success has been anything but straightforward. From the highs of college football stardom to the lows of draft-night pranks and the challenges of early injuries, he has faced it all with a level of maturity and resilience that bodes well for his professional career.

The Eagles, a team with a storied history and a passionate fan base, have embraced DeJean as one of their own, eager to see what he can bring to the field.

A Draft Night to Remember

In the end, Cooper DeJean’s 2024 NFL Draft experience is a testament to the unpredictability of the draft process and the mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level. What began as a night filled with hope, excitement, and a cruel prank ultimately transformed into a story of redemption and triumph.

DeJean’s journey from being pranked by a fake Packers caller to becoming a Philadelphia Eagle is one that will be remembered not just by him, but by the entire Eagles organization and their fans.

As DeJean looks forward to his rookie season, there is no doubt that he will be motivated to prove that he belongs in the NFL, that he was worth the wait, and that the Eagles made the right choice in securing him.

The prank that could have derailed his draft experience instead served as a catalyst for a story of resilience, determination, and eventual triumph. And for the Eagles, landing DeJean on Day 2 of the draft could very well turn out to be one of the best decisions they made in 2024.

The prank that started it all will likely become a footnote in DeJean’s career, a quirky anecdote that he’ll look back on with a smile. What will truly define his NFL journey, however, is how he responds to the challenges ahead and how he seizes the opportunity that the Philadelphia Eagles have given him.

The road to NFL stardom is never easy, but for Cooper DeJean, it’s a road he’s ready to travel with the resilience and determination that have brought him this far.