With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine underway in Indianapolis and the NFL Draft looming next month, the NFL world is engaged in extensive analysis of potential prospects.
One of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft is Iowa State cornerback Cooper DeJean.
He will be unavailable for the combine after breaking his foot in mid-November, but the versatile defensive back is the most popular.
Players in the draft who will be one of the best defensemen.
Dejan earned first-team All-American honors with the Hawkeyes in 2023 and was a finalist for the Nagurski Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive lineman.
Here are the top three NFL draft picks for Iowa DB Cooper DeJean, who is likely to be a first-round pick.
Scouting Report Cooper Dejean is the definition of a game-winning defensive back.
In 2022, three of his five interceptions ended in pick-sixes, but this year he returned a punt for a touchdown (and had a controversial callback).
Dejan has great instincts, recognizing plays before they happen and using his speed to stop plays.
His superior athleticism will help DeJean cover opposing wideouts, and many teams will avoid him altogether in 2023.
NFL scouts project him as a slot corner/safety hybrid because he has the speed to hold up against receivers and the toughness to be effective in the run game.
Given his versatility, the Iowa DB is projected to be selected in the mid-to-late first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Good Fit Green Bay Packers The Packers need both a safety and a cornerback, so they could target a player who can fill both roles.
Green Bay ranked ninth in pass defense despite starting the inexperienced Kathan Nixon for most of the season and subbing Rasul Douglas.
Add in the impending free agency of each of the Packers’ top three safeties (Jonathan Owens, Darnell Savage, and Rudy Ford), and a second safety becomes the Packers’ primary need in the NFL Draft.
The Packers drafted Iowa edge rusher Lucas Van Ness in the first round last year, but Cooper DeJean is a similarly crazy athlete who could make an even bigger immediate impact in the green and gold.
can.
Los Angeles Rams The Rams have some of the best group of offensive players in the NFL, but defensive improvements are needed for LA to be a true contender in his NFC again.
This team finished 19th or worse in total yards allowed, passing yards and points allowed last season, and the Rams allowed 35 more passing yards in losses compared to last season’s wins.
With starters Jordan Fuller and John Johnson and No.
1 corner Ahkello Witherspoon all leaving in free agency, the need for reinforcements in the secondary has become even more apparent.
The Rams play a zone-oriented defense.
This is a perfect scheme for a playmaker like Cooper DeJean to utilize his vision and speed.
Detroit Lions The 2023 Lions didn’t have much of a weakness, but this team finished 27th in the NFL in passing yards per game.
A zealthy C.J.
and Garder Johnson at safety would certainly help, but Detroit needs a reliable cornerback.
Cam Sutton and Kindle Wildeaux both had below-average grades for Pro Football Focus players, but they allowed a passer rating of 112 or lower on target selection.
A true lockdown corner could be the deciding factor in clinching the Lions a Super Bowl berth, and Cooper DeJean is living up to that promise.
