Cooper DeJean top cornerback in ESPN’s NFL draft board

Position Ranking: No. 1

Overall Ranking: No. 13

2023 Stats: 41 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 2 INT, 11.47 yards per punt return, 1 punt return TD

Career Stats: 120 tackles, 13 pass breakups, 7 INT, 3 INT returned for TD

Cooper DeJean sits atop Mel Kiper’s NFL draft big board at the moment as the top cornerback in the 2024 draft class. His play, athleticism, and versatility all make him an extremely attractive prospect. He can cover, tackle, and has proven to be a great punt returner. In the NFL, with smaller rosters, this is even more vital. Despite his injury, DeJean should heal up rather quickly and not see much detriment to his draft stock.

Iowa’s defense produced two first-round picks (Lukas Van Ness and Jack Campbell) and a third-rounder (Riley Moss) in the 2023 draft, and yet it was DeJean who kept catching my eye when I went back through the 2022 film. He had five interceptions, including three that he returned for touchdowns. But it wasn’t just the big plays — I was impressed with his technique on a snap-to-snap basis. He played in the slot and out wide, showing off tremendous speed to stick to receivers. He’s just silky as a cover man.

DeJean has the physical tools to be the top corner in this class, but unfortunately his season has ended because of a lower-leg injury he suffered in practice in mid-November. He finished 2023 with two picks. – Mel Kiper, ESPN