NFL Rookie Roundup 360: Cooper DeJean debuts, Browns rookie shines & Drake Maye news

The final weekend of the preseason saw some rookies from the 2024 NFL Draft class shine while one of the top quarterbacks selected is still fighting for a starting role.

Let’s start with Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean.  In the team’s 26-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, the second-round pick was literally flying all over the field in an impressive performance.  With 5 total tackles and 1 pass defense, the Iowa product displayed what he is capable of after he was sidelined for most of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury.

Talk about a boost for the Eagles’ secondary.  DeJean, who has the versatility to play anywhere on the field, lined up at corner in the nickel where he made plays.  Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni liked what he saw out of the young defensive back in his time on the field.

“I saw him make a couple of really good plays,” Sirianni said, as transcribed by Pro Football Talk.   “I thought he looked fast and physical out there. Made a couple of tackles that I thought were really good. Had a penalty that we’re going to want back that negated an interception on the first drive, but it was good to get him out there playing meaningful snaps seeing that hadn’t played in this preseason. I thought there were some good things. There are going to be some things to clean up. But it was good to have him out there because he’s talented and we’re excited about his potential."

Along with fellow cornerback rookie Quinyon Mitchell, Sirianni and the Eagles are hoping the young duo helps solidify the secondary in 2024.

Cleveland Browns rookie continues to impress

The Browns already have firepower at the wide receiver position with the trio of Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, but rookie wide receiver Jamari Thrash is making a push to be added to the mix.

The No. 156 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been turning heads through training camp and the preseason.  The Louisville product set it off on Saturday with a performance that continues to turn heads throughout Browns Nation.  In the team’s 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, Thrash hauled in four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.  The highlight of the night was this 46-yard touchdown reception from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second quarter.

In all, Thrash has made his case in the preseason with a total of 10 receptions for 141 yards and a TD.  Looks like the Browns may have another weapon in Thrash.

 What about Drake Maye?

With Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix all being named Week 1 starters for their teams, all eyes are now on what the New England Patriots decide when it comes to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

After a sluggish start in training camp, Drake Maye has been looking more comfortable in practice and showed a bit of that in the team’s second preseason game.  With projected starter Jacoby Brissett struggling a bit in the preseason, there is still a quarterback competition in Foxborough, one that could be settled on Sunday when the Patriots take on the Washington Commanders.

According to Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, Brissett will start the game, but Maye should get his opportunity as well.  With a strong performance, the North Carolina product may just give Mayo and the coaching staff something to think about as the original plan was to sit the rookie.  But Mayo has noted Maye’s improvement as camp, the preseason has moved forward and that noticeable progression is not just on the field, but within Maye’s confidence.

“If you guys remember early on, he [Drake Maye] would throw interceptions and he [Drake Maye] would get so down on himself,” Mayo said Friday. “I would say now, as we exit camp, he's [Drake Maye] done a lot better job being able to pull the nose up on the plane when it seems like it's going down. I think that's an important quality.”

Can Maye beat out Brissett?  The preseason finale may just determine who gets the Week 1 start in Cincinnati.