Cooper DeJean might just be the most intriguing player entering the 2024 NFL draft. His versatility not only on defense but on special teams is of great intrigue to NFL teams. It is what made him so successful with the Iowa Hawkeyes and is what teams are hopeful translates to the next level.
As we inch closer to the draft, the talk surrounding DeJean only seems to be getting louder with each mock draft. More and more outlets are cementing him in the first round with some teams continuing to pop up as trendy landing spots.
ESPN’s Field Yates, one of their leading draft analysts, is the latest to stamp a first round approval on Cooper DeJean. His first mock draft highlights DeJean as one of the best picks of the first round with the Green Bay Packers selecting him at No. 25 overall.
There are a lot of reasons to like this pick for Green Bay. DeJean has terrific traits, is an adept man-to-man coverage player and has proven extremely versatile. The last part matters a lot here, as Green Bay’s safety room has multiple key free agents this offseason (including Darnell Savage), and DeJean has the traits to play there if needed. Cornerback depth is also a need for the Packers, who would go back to the Iowa defensive well in the first round for the second straight year (Lukas Van Ness). The Packers managed seven interceptions in 2023 (31st), and DeJean has that many himself over the past two seasons. – Yates, ESPN
Yates hints at the idea of DeJean sliding back to play safety which is a testament to his football IQ and versatility. Coming from a fundamental defense like Phil Parker’s at Iowa allows DeJean to do this comfortably.
Should the Packers’ pick wind up being DeJean, he joins a defense that could sorely use a playmaker on the back end along with an instant starter on specials teams as a punt gunner and possibly a punt returner.
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