Report: Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean expected to start over Avonte Maddox

The Eagles’ defense has been inconsistent at best through four games this season, and with the team coming off their bye week, reports indicate that they plan to make a personnel change moving forward. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the team is expected to have rookie DB Cooper DeJean start at nickel over Avonte Maddox.

Changes to the Eagles’ lineup are on the table as 2-2 Philly emerges from its bye week. One position to watch: Rookie Cooper DeJean taking over nickel corner duties from veteran Avonte Maddox. That’s a move I’m expecting, barring new developments. DeJean, a second-rounder with first-round talent, got off to a slow start due to a preseason injury but is considered all caught up with Vic Fangio’s scheme. I’m told multiple defensive positions were up to discussions over the past week due to a defense that ranks 30th in yards per play allowed (6.0). The shakeup began in earnest Tuesday, when the team released linebacker Devin White, a former Pro Bowl player who has been a healthy scratch all season.

When rookie DB Cooper DeJean was injured ahead of training camp, the young Eagle took advantage of the mental reps and meeting time, but DC Vic Fangio admitted it would take a little while for him to catch up. DeJean has been slowly incorporated on game days the past few weeks, taking over punt return duties with Britain Covey sidelined and seeing occasional defensive snaps.

Now, DeJean will finally get a chance to show why he should have been a first-round pick. Maddox was missing tackles and was even shown talking to Mike Evans about gaming after getting smoked on multiple plays. The veteran has had more than a few issues staying healthy the past few years, and with his play not really deserving of the starting role — among a defense that really can’t get much worse —, DeJean will have a big opportunity to make the nickel position his own.