Everyone knows that getting drafted in the first round of the NFL draft is among most players’ biggest goals. It cements that you are a supremely talented football player and have worked hard to get there.
Everyone wants to be drafted in the top 10, but there is something to be said about going in the back half of the first round. Being selected later in the first round puts you on a team that is much more likely to be a contender earlier in your career and often means there are veterans to learn from.
In CBS Sports’ latest mock draft from Chris Trapasso, Cooper DeJean is a recipient of landing with an immediate contender late in the first round. Trapasso has DeJean going No. 32 overall, the final pick in the first round, to the Baltimore Ravens.
Another chess piece defensively for Mike Macdonald’s defense. DeJean is such a fun, dynamic defensive back. – Trapasso, CBS Sports
The chess piece is an excellent term to describe Cooper DeJean. He can play cornerback on the outside, come into the slot, punt return, and play gunner with the best of them. He is among the most versatile players entering the 2024 NFL draft.
In Baltimore, DeJean would be joining two other Hawkeyes in center Tyler Linderbaum and safety Geno Stone, who would be his playing partner in the secondary. The Ravens’ defense has been elite this year allowing just 60.2% of passes to be completed along with leading the NFL in sacks with 49.
The Ravens are in the middle of the pack in interceptions and DeJean’s ball-hawking ability could be the one skillset that boosts this defense beyond the level they already are.
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