2024 NFL Draft Prospect: Cooper DeJean

Cooper Dejean

Position: CB – Projected: 1st Round

History & Measurables

Born: Feb. 9th, 2003 – Sioux Falls, ND

High School: OA-BCIG

College: Iowa

Height: 6’0″       Weight: 203 lbs

Traits & Characteristics

The Good

• Zone Coverage
• Physical
• Fearless
• Football IQ

The Bad

• Man coverage
• Slow first step
• Short strider
• Trouble on breaks in route stem

Advanced Analytics Notes – 2023

• 6 forced incompletions and 4 pass break-ups
• 37.8 passer rating allowed
• 73.1 PFF coverage grade and 2 interceptions in zone coverage
• 4 interceptions in 2022 (8th in FBS)
• Only allowed 44 yards after the catch

Film Notes and Highlights

Cooper DeJean is a physical cornerback. He played a swiff army knife for the Iowa defense, lining up outside, in the slot, and in the box. DeJean plays incredibly well in zone coverage, showcasing his football IQ and the ability to read opposing quarterbacks. He’s also fearless in the box, ready to step into the hole to make a tackle on the ball carrier. He’s not afraid to get physical with wide receivers, either, frequently hand fighting in press and in coverage. However, he does have some struggles.

DeJean is a short strider, which can hurt his recovery at times. He has issues in main coverage, mainly on breaks in the stem of routes. At times he can play too conservatively and give up the underneath completion as to not get beat deep. He will have a difficult time against very good route running wide receivers. With that said, he has the IQ to bait opposing quarterbacks late in games to make plays. Cooper DeJean is a first round prospect who could be a versatile weapon at the next level. – Thomas Christopher

(Games Watched: vs Iowa State 2022, vs Iowa State 2023, vs Ohio State 2023, vs Michigan State 2023, vs Purdue 2023)

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