Cooper DeJean lands at No. 38 as NFL unveils Top 100 Players of 2026 list

The NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2026 list is out, and Philadelphia’s Cooper DeJean has a spot near the top third. DeJean was ranked No. 38, a mark that reflects both his rising profile after his early NFL impact and his status as one of the league’s more disruptive defensive backs.

According to the Eagles’ team release, DeJean is making a consecutive appearance after his sophomore year in the NFL, extending what has become a steady climb in national recognition. The ranking also comes with a specific emphasis in the Eagles’ presentation, pointing out that DeJean’s number is higher than it was in the previous year’s Top 100.

DeJean’s place on the list matters in part because the NFL’s annual countdown is designed to capture reputation and performance across the league, not a single unit or game. In DeJean’s case, the Eagles note that he is a first-team All-Pro defensive back, a distinction that typically points to elite production and influence on the field rather than role-only value.

The Top 100 format has also become a recurring storyline for teams because it can validate where the league thinks a roster is trending. For Philadelphia, DeJean’s No. 38 ranking gives the Eagles another high-end individual credential to pair with the team’s broader identity on defense, where corner and safety play often becomes the dividing line between containing passing attacks and giving them easy looks.

While an offseason list is not the same thing as a stat sheet, it can shape expectations going into the next football year. For DeJean, the No. 38 slot suggests that coaches, players, and league observers view him as a continuing threat in coverage and a dependable presence in defensive game planning. It also sets a baseline for what he will be measured against when the season arrives.

The next question for Philadelphia is how DeJean’s role evolves as opponents adjust. When a player enters the Top 100 conversation more than once, offenses tend to pay closer attention, which can change targets, routes, and leverage decisions around him. DeJean’s counter to that attention will likely determine whether his standing remains in the upper tier or moves even higher.