Who wouldn’t love to see former Hawkeye great and reigning Butkus Award winner Jack Campbell teamed back up with star Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean?
After all, the duo combined to help produce arguably the greatest defense in Iowa Hawkeyes history. How about DeJean and Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year Sam LaPorta back together again?
That’s precisely what Athlon Sports forecasts in its latest 2024 NFL mock draft as DeJean is projected to land with the Detroit Lions. In the 2023 NFL draft, the Lions selected Campbell in the first round with pick No. 18 and LaPorta early in the second with pick No. 34.
Here’s what Luke Easterling had to say about this possible pairing between DeJean and Detroit.
You can never have too many talented corners, and after trading away former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah, the Lions could use another blue-chip talent at a premium position. DeJean has impressive size for the position, and put up strong numbers last year with five interceptions and eight pass breakups. – Easterling, Athlon Sports.
Based on DeJean’s first season starting, the Lions would be landing a star of the future with this pick. One of my hesitations in signing off on it would be whether or not DeJean will actually still be on the board this late in the 2024 NFL draft.
DeJean is already a collegiate star and his recognition nationwide should only grow now that he’s the lead figure in the Hawkeyes’ secondary. Fellow corner Riley Moss was just selected in the third round by the Denver Broncos and safety Kaevon Merriweather landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.
DeJean finished the 2022 season with 75 tackles, 13 passes defensed and five interceptions, three of which he took back for touchdowns. He was also sensational on special teams, returning 10 punts for 165 yards and working as a gunner as well.
Iowa opens its season on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. on FS1 when the Hawkeyes welcome in Utah State to Kinnick Stadium.
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