Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Cooper DeJean will likely hear his name read out on night one of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the star corner being one of the top prospects in his position.
DeJean turned 21 in February and declared for the draft after his junior year.
"Highly competitive defensive back with plus ball skills and noteworthy special teams value," NFL analyst Lance Zuerlein said. "DeJean is big and bundled for a cornerback, with muscular arms and tight hips.
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"He has fantastic interception production, but his movements are more linear than fluid, and he doesn’t have the easy change of direction needed in man coverage on the next level. His best football is played with his eyes forward, using his instincts to challenge quarterbacks and his big downhill burst to smack whatever needs smacking."
With a lockdown corner like Jalen Ramsey, Jaire Alexander or Sauce Gardner becoming increasingly difficult to find, landing on the right defensive back in the NFL Draft can be a franchise-altering move.
For example, before the Jets selecting Gardner, their defense wasn't particularly fearsome but is now one of the best in the NFL. So, where will Iowa's Cooper DeJean end up being selected in the NFL Draft?
Cooper DeJean Draft Profile and Measurements
Height: 6’0 1/2″
Weight: 209 pounds
Length: 31 1/8″
Wingspan: 74 7/8″
Hand: 9 5/8″
Position: Defensive Back
School: Iowa
Current Year: Junior
See here for where DeJean lands on Tony Pauline's Big Board of the top 200 prospects
Top three landing spots for Cooper DeJean in the 2024 NFL Draft
#1 Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the most stacked secondaries with the likes of James Bradberry and Darius Slay but could do with selecting Cooper DeJean.
That's because Bradberry is 31 and Slay is 33, meaning they need to get younger at the cornerback position. Moreover, with the size of their contracts, the Eagles may look to move on from one or both in the near future.
DeJean could come in straight away and compete for a starting berth while learning from a player like Slay, who has been one of the best in his position for a decade.
#2 Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals hold two first-round picks heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. while they're likely to use the fourth overall pick on a star wide receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr., they could bolster their below-par defense by selecting DeJean with the 27th overall pick should he fall to them.
Arizona had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year, allowing 355.7 yards and 26.8 points per game, with only the Washington Commanders allowing more PPG. Picking up a versatile piece like DeJean could solve multiple issues on their woeful defense.
#3 Green Bay Packers
Despite having Jaire Alexander in the building and acquiring safety Xavier McKinney in the offseason, adding Cooper DeJean to the Packers' secondary is something that could make them the most ferocious unit in the NFL.
The Packers are selecting at 25th overall, which is around where many expect DeJean to be drafted from. So, if he were the best player available, HC Matt LaFleur may be tempted to pull the trigger on the versatile playmaker.
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