Top defensive prospect only visited four teams ahead of NFL Draft

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean.

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is one of the top defensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. He currently ranks as the best defensive player and No. 8 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus’ big board.

However, DeJean’s predraft process has not been ideal after fracturing his fibula during the 2023 season.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the former Iowa star only had four days available for top-30 visits due to combine rechecks and his late pro day.

As a result, he was only able to visit four teams — the Steelers, Seahawks, Bills and Eagles.

DeJean is certainly hoping to go in the top half of the first round come April 25, but of the four teams he visited, Seattle will be the first on the clock at pick No. 16, barring a trade-up.

Just because DeJean only visited those four teams doesn’t mean another won’t use its first-round pick on him sooner. However, those teams will have the best intel in the league on him as he continues to work his way back from his injury.

DeJean did his best to put any health concerns teams to rest by running 4.42-second 40-yard dash and testing well across the board at his pro day. The remaining questions seem to be about where he’ll play on the field.

The 21-year-old showed his versatility at Iowa, playing at cornerback, safety and even on special teams.

Over the past three seasons, DeJean has posted 120 tackles, seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed and three touchdowns. He also returned 31 punts, averaging 13.1 yards per return with one touchdown.

While some may pass on him without a defined position, DeJean thinks his versatility could help him as whichever team takes a chance on him will be getting a true football player.

“Being able to play multiple different positions, I think that’s an advantage coming into this league, to be able to play wherever they put me,” DeJean said via Jeff Legwold of ESPN. “It doesn’t matter to me, to be honest. I just want to play ball.”

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