The Iowa defensive back would be a welcomed addition to the Arizona Cardinals secondary.
Over the next couple of weeks, leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft we will take a look at close to 30 prospects to know.
Within that, we will use the excellent work of Dane Brugler, who has just released his “The Beast” 2024 NFL Draft Guide. I highly recommend taking a peek and signing up for The Athletic if only to get Dane’s guide.
It is always an exhaustive work, and he should be commended.
With that said, we will go in order of Dane’s Big Board and use his final analysis as the wrap up of each prospect.
Next up is Dane’s 25th ranked prospect, Cooper DeJean, the Iowa Hawkeyes phenom who brings a versatility and playmaking that would be welcomed to the Arizona Cardinals defense.
Dane’s Take:
A two-year starter at Iowa, DeJean was an inside-outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s zone-heavy scheme. He also saw snaps at safety and the Hawkeyes’ hybrid “Cash” position. After matching the school record with three pick sixes in 2022, he was recognized as the Big Ten’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year and the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year in 2023 — despite his late-season leg injury. With his natural anticipation in coverage, DeJean is rarely out of position and uses athletic gifts and top-tier ball skills to make plays (allowed only one catch of 15-plus yards in 2023).
DeJean was a freak the last two years for the Hawkeyes, piling up big numbers, but also leading the Hawkeyes defense that was one of the best in the nation.
Though he has a steady process to gather and go, his lack of initial suddenness is something he must continue to mask to limit separation at the top of routes.
One of the reason I love the fit of DeJean with the Arizona Cardinals is because of how much zone work Nick Rallis and Jonathan Gannon do with their cornerbacks. DeJean is best utilized in zone schemes, and that would fit into what the Cardinals do with their defensive backs.
Overall, DeJean is one of the best tackling defensive backs in the class and shows playmaking skillsin coverage, because of his athletic instincts and competitive makeup. Along with an immediate special-teams role (as a returner and gunner), his NFL starter-quality skill set fits interchangeably at cornerback, safety or nickel.
DeJean would be a great addition and give the Cardinals an immediate upgrade at any of their corner spots.
Next up… Chop Robinson.
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