Eagles undrafted rookie may have earned a roster spot after breakout performance vs. Bengals

Darius Cooper didn’t just show up in the Eagles’ preseason opener — he showed out.

The undrafted rookie wide receiver from Tarleton State caught 6 of 7 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night’s 34-27 win over the Bengals, and it wasn’t just stat-padding in garbage time. Cooper made tough catches in traffic, beat press coverage for a gorgeous 20-yard score, and flat-out looked like he belonged in an NFL offense.

This wasn’t some one-night fluke either. Cooper’s been quietly making noise all through training camp, stacking strong days together while battling guys like Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith, and Elijah Cooks for what’s likely one of the final wide receiver spots on the 53-man roster.

Nick Sirianni praised him after the game, pointing to a clutch fourth-down grab over the middle and saying Cooper is “continuing to get better” while learning multiple spots in the offense. That’s coach-speak for “we’re starting to really like this kid.”

Eagles May Have Found a Gem in Darius Cooper

Darius Cooper (UDFA), Preseason, Week 2

-7 targets, 6 receptions, 82 yards, and 1 TD

-6’0”
-190 lbs
-40 yard dash: 4.49
-Vertical: 38”
-Bench Press: 18 reps
-Broad Jump: 10’6 pic.twitter.com/7Nj7QqhoyQ

— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) August 8, 2025

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Cooper’s path to this point wasn’t exactly paved in gold. He came out of a small FCS school in Stephenville, Texas, where he was a big fish in a small pond but never got an NFL Combine invite. He went undrafted, and a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at his pro day didn’t exactly have scouts drooling. But the Eagles took a shot, and Cooper’s making them look smart.

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On Thursday night, he did the two things that get you paid in the NFL — he created separation and he caught the football. Quarterback Tanner McKee called him “very fast, great hands” and praised his ability to win one-on-one outside. That’s the kind of skill set that not only gets you on a roster but gets you on the field.

For a guy who started OTAs admitting he was starstruck just lining up next to Jalen Hurts, Cooper’s transformation has been rapid. The moment clearly isn’t too big for him, and he’s got the production to back it up.

The Eagles have been known to unearth undrafted gems before. If Cooper keeps stacking days like this, the only thing left for Howie Roseman to decide is which veteran wideout’s locker he’ll be taking.