Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, a likely first-round pick and potential target of the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft, has been cleared for football activities and will hold an individual pro day for teams on Monday, April 8, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
DeJean suffered a broken fibula during practice last November and required surgery, ending his final season at Iowa and preventing him from participating during key pre-draft events, such as the NFL Scouting Combine. Although he is returning from a significant injury, DeJean will get a chance to prove to NFL teams that he is an elite athlete and a top prospect in this year’s draft class.
DeJean is listed as the No. 9 overall prospect at Pro Football Focus and the No. 28 overall prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board.
The athleticism box might be final box for DeJean to check for the Packers. Still only 21 years old, DeJean is a versatile cornerback-safety hybrid who played at a high level for multiple years at Iowa, a football program the Packers have long respected. Just last season, the Packers used a first-round pick on Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa.
DeJean — a state champion sprinter in high school — intercepted seven passes and had 20 pass breakups over the last two seasons for Iowa. He scored four return touchdowns — three on interceptions and one on a punt return.
The Packers hold the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 draft.