All-NFL Rookie Defense Team features two Eagles players

The regular season is in the books and the schedule for the 2025 NFL playoffs is set. As we look back on the first 17 games of the 2024 NFL Draft class, let’s draw some conclusions about who the best defensive players have been from the group. (Previously: Offense)

Interior Defensive Lineman
T’Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat proved to be an immediate difference maker for the Titans defense. The big bodied interior defender was a three down contributor who did his best work against the run. That being said, he was able to move bodies in the passing game, creating pressure and generating opportunities for his teammates. While Tennessee is definitely in a rebuilding phase, they can feel good about what they have in their former second round pick.

Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams: There is simply no replacing Aaron Donald, but the Rams must’ve been motivated to try the way they drafted defensive players in the 2024 class. Braden Fiske was one of several very good players who came to Los Angeles and immediately made a difference on their defense. Fiske, so far, is a pass rush specialist who had nine sacks in his rookie year. While his run defense needs to improve, he is a valuable role player in a young, scrappy unit.

Second Team: Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks and Leonard Taylor III, New York Jets

Edge Defender
Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams: Florida State went from being to one of the best college football teams in the country last year to one of the worst this year. I think losing players like Braden Fiske and Jared Verse to the Rams played a big part in that. Verse was tremendous in year one, racking up six sacks and creating constant pressure off the edge for the Rams. Despite size concerns, Verse also made himself an asset in the running game. The Rams are in very good hands with Fiske and Verse on their line for the next few years.

Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins: The Miami Dolphins bet big on Chop Robinson’s upside when they drafted the former Penn State defender in the first round. That bet is already paying off. Robinson had seven sacks on the year and was disruptive beyond the box score. While run defense is an area where he can improve, his talent is obvious any time you flip on the Dolphins defense.

Second Team: Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts and Jalyx Hunt, Philadelphia Eagles

Linebacker
Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper is an absolute blast to watch on the Packers defense. He is an energizer bunny type defender who is just flying all over the field at any given moment. His physicality and athleticism made him a dangerous run defender, allowed him to hang on in coverage, and create pressure as a blitzer. He is a unique player who is already thriving despite so much being asked of him.

Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers: Payton Wilson stepped on the field and proved an asset to the Steelers defense. The former NC State star did his best work in coverage but flashed as a run defender and blitzer. He should be a key part of the Steelers defense for a long time.

Second Team: Jaylon Carlies, Indianapolis Colts and Omar Speights, Los Angeles Rams

Cornerback
Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell faced a murderers row of wide receivers in his rookie year. The Eagles trusted him to cover the best pass catcher on any given team and he delivered week in and week out with lockdown coverage. Mitchell’s stats aren’t eye popping in year one, with no interceptions, but it mostly because he was rarely targeted. Fun little stat from Pro Football Focus: Quinyon Mitchell gave up the least YAC in the NFL among cornerbacks who played at least 50% of their teams defensive snaps with 61.

Tarheeb Still, Los Angeles Chargers: It’s not often a fifth round pick comes in and immediately is one of the best players on a defense. Tarheeb Still was a ballhawk in year one of his career, picking off four passes. Still is immensely talented with great size and athleticism. He is poised to keep improving and remain a key piece of the Chargers defense.

Second Team: Nate Wiggins, Baltimore Ravens and Renardo Green, San Francisco 49ers

Slot Cornerback
Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles enjoyed an unbelievable defensive turnaround in the early season. This can be credited to familiarity with a new scheme and Cooper DeJean sliding in as the starting slot defender. DeJean, first and foremost, plays like an extra linebacker near the line of scrimmage. He is a truly elite run defender from the cornerback position, allowing the Eagles to defend the run with light boxers. In coverage, DeJean is in a high traffic part of the field but never gave up a touchdown and did a great job limiting YAC. He is truly a do-it-all defensive weapon in the Eagles secondary and will be for a long time.

Second Team: Andru Phillips, New York Giants

Safety
Calen Bullock, Houston Texans: Calen Bullock had an up and down first year in the NFL but there’s basically no denying his playmaking ability. With five interceptions, he led all rookies with takeaways. Bullock is a rangy playmaker with great ball skills. He suffered from some inconsistencies in coverage and as a run defender as he hunted for big plays, but he will be a very good player if he can continue to temper that.

Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams: Kamren Kinchens was yet another brilliant pick by the Rams as they rebuilt their defense. The former Miami star was a playmaker in year one for the Rams. Kinchens could play all over the field for the Rams and still thrive.

Second Team: Javon Bullard, Green Bay Packers and Tyler Nubin, New York Giants

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean was the second of two cornerbacks drafted by the Eagles in April. Both he and Quinyon Mitchell were crucial in the unit’s dominance this year. But it’s striking how much better the defense gelled when the former Iowa Hawkeye stepped into the lineup. DeJean had a lot asked of him, as he was covering wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends that typically would see so many targets in the short area of the field. He was asked to step in as an extra run defender, where he thrived attacking the line of scrimmage and making impressive tackles in space against shifty ball carriers. He even chipped in as a pass rusher, generating pressures on blitzing. DeJean did it all in year one, and did it at a very high level. While his stats don’t rival some of his contemporaries, his value to his respective defense is hard for his peers to parallel.