Where has Cooper DeJean been mocked in the 2024 NFL draft recently?
Mock drafts are always a weird business. We all love them, don’t try to lie to me and say you don’t. Even with how ridiculous and biased they can be, they’re still a boatload of fun.
They aren’t the be-all end-all when it comes to draft coverage, but they are still a great way to get NFL fans exposed to collegiate prospects early on.
Sometimes that can be a bit too early, with the “way-too-early mock drafts” becoming the norm the day after the NFL draft concludes. Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, nobody can know what’s going to happen during either the upcoming NFL or college football seasons.
Midway through November though, we are starting to get a much clearer image. The NFL season is pretty much at full steam, while college football is nearing its pinnacle.
While Kirk Ferentz and his Hawkeyes will not be focusing on the next level as a chance at Big Ten glory still hangs in the balance, that doesn’t mean that you can’t. It’s the perfect time to start researching where Iowa players, and therefore your allegiance, could be heading to next year.
With that in mind, here is a Cooper DeJean-centered 2024 NFL mock draft roundup. There’s one entry with a pair of other Hawkeyes as well.
Of course, these mocks are even more important following the news that DeJean is reportedly set to miss the remainder of the regular season. This offers us a good indication of the range where draft analysts have seen DeJean at prior to the injury news.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
CBS Sports: No. 27 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
Via CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, Cooper DeJean in San Francisco should terrify 31 fanbases out there. If San Fran opts to move on from either of their starting cornerbacks, DeJean would be a great replacement. In year one, they could move him all over as a chess piece to bolster that defense. I wonder if he would see more time in the slot early on.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
CBS Sports: No. 29 overall to the Baltimore Ravens
Also from CBS Sports but this time courtesy of Chris Trapasso, yes, the Ravens like versatile and athletic defensive backs. I like this fit a lot for him, too. DeJean would join fellow Iowa standout Geno Stone in the defensive backfield.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
CBS Sports: No. 18 overall to the Buffalo Bills
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards likes DeJean to land in Buffalo. It feels as though we’ve been mocking a corner to Buffalo forever now. Tre’ White is great, but, unfortunately, he’s been on the shelf with injuries in recent years. Besides him, yeah it’s not great. The Kaiir Elam experiment already seems over.
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network
Pro Football Network:
Cooper DeJean, 26th overall to the San Francisco 49ers
TE Luke Lachey, 109th overall to the Washington Commanders
DL Yahya Black, 116th overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
I have to give so much recognition to Ian. I personally know him as one of the hardest working draft analysts out there, and these 7-round mock drafts just prove it.
Here we see the debut of two new Hawkeyes. I think Lachey is interesting. He has NFL talent. But coming off an injury, could he return to school? Will Iowa’s offense even give him room to improve his draft stock? It’s also great to see Yahya Black get recognition after waiting for his turn at Iowa for so long.
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
NBC Sports: No. 17 overall to the Buffalo Bills
Like Josh Edwards before him, NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers likes DeJean to head to the Bills. Once again, Buffalo would be smart to take a hard look at DeJean.
He can most likely handle any role you ask of him in the secondary thanks to his great awareness, vision and ball skills, while being a willing tackler with a big frame. – Rogers, NBC Sports.
A.J. Schulte, Pro Football Network
Pro Football Network: No. 15 overall to the Indianapolis Colts
Cooper DeJean 15th Overall to the Indianapolis Colts
Yes, the Colts definitely need help at cornerback. Pro Football Network’s A.J. Schulte forecasts DeJean to Indy. Kenny Moore is one of the best defensive players in football, but besides him there’s not a whole lot of proven assets. I like the potential of JuJu Brents, but I’d definitely look to add a standout like DeJean. With his run defending he does seem like a cultural fit, too.
The Colts’ cornerback room is gearing up for plenty of turnover, and they need talent in that room. Cooper DeJean checks off a ton of boxes that the Indianapolis Colts look for in cornerbacks, and his ability to defend the run is a huge plus of his game, something the Colts need. – Schulte, Pro Football Network.
Trevor Sikkema, PFF
Pro Football Focus: No. 22 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikemma has an interesting landing spot for DeJean. Speaking of cultural fits, Cooper DeJean just feels like the ultimate “Steelers Way” type of player, no? Like going from Iowa to Pittsburgh is pretty much the same thing, down to the uniforms. Pittsburgh can use some additional youth in the secondary, too. DeJean and Porter Jr. could become one of the best cornerback tandems in football!
The Steelers have major needs in their secondary. Some argue the bigger need is safety, while others would say cornerback. The best part about drafting DeJean is that he could be a starter at either. He is one of the more natural athletes in the class and has the size (6-foot-1 and 207 pounds), speed and overall coverage instincts to make an impact at both spots. He has an elite coverage grade, five interceptions and six forced incompletions over the past two years. – Sikemma, Pro Football Focus.
Seth Trachtman, Yardbarker
Yardbarker: No. 32 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs
Ugh, I hate this pick. Not that it’s a bad pick by the Chiefs, though I don’t know if they necessarily need him. It’s just another case of the rich getting richer.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Jacob on Twitter: @Jacobkeppen
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
