Game Film Concerns Surface on Iowa’s Cooper DeJean

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean is one of those prospects that takes a while to warm up to, and even then he has too many weaknesses to be considered a first-round prospect off of his 2022 game film.

I’m not sure I’m alone in that assessment either as his own coaching staff moved from starting in three games at corner last season. According to his school website, DeJean started 10 games at corner last season and three at “leo/cash position.”

Last Word on Sports describes that unique position as, “a unique blend between cornerback, safety, and outside linebacker.”

While I had a hard time getting past DeJean’s reluctance and hesitancy, especially when he was late reacting on routes and took a passive approach to the run game half the time, he does make his share of plays.

This is what makes him one of the tougher evaluations and projections in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Not a starting NFL corner in man press coverage scheme

DeJean does have his strengths, but being locked up in man coverage is not one of them. His physical limitations of lacking a short-area burst and the ability to make quick changes of direction are not something he will likely overcome. This is why DeJean seldomly lined up in press-man coverage in these five games and more often was seen in off-man and zone when in solo coverage on the outsides.

He gives up too much space on routes featuring sharp break points when receivers crisply change direction. It takes him too long to gather himself in these situations to make a play on the ball. All he could do was make the after-the damage had been done tackle.

DeJean additionally didn’t show that coveted recovery speed teams look for in elite first-round corners.

Why am I mentioning first-round?

Because, already over 50% of the other draft platforms have DeJean mocked that high. Pro Football Network, Walter Football, Bleacher Report, Draftwire, Pro Football Focus, Sporting News, The Athletic, NBC Sports, 247 Sports, CBS, Rotowire, Barstool Sports, Fox Sports, and USA Today all have put first-round grades on him.

I’m just not seeing it on routes that feature a crisp change of direction.

Best chance

The thing that makes this evaluation more challenging is that DeJean does look good running on pure straight-line vertical routes. He still doesn’t often turn around and look for the ball when it’s in the air, which is a problem, but at least he stays in phase (keeps up) with the receivers.

He also excels on routes when the change of direction flattens out, which gives him more time to respond and break on the ball.

What is his NFL projection?

Don’t get me started about how he looks against run half the time.

He is also limited in coverage as stated.

This isn’t about looking good running drills at the combine or his pro day. It’s about who wants it, and DeJean’s want is too wishy-washy for me. He can do it when he feels like it, but it’s not consistent and it doesn’t move the meter.

#3 Cooper DeJean 6-foot-1, 207 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: Third-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 57.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of September 22, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Ohio State, Iowa State, Michigan, Purdue, and Wisconsin (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 75 tackles (16 assists), 5 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 0 sacks

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Corner with good size and straight-line speed, but struggles to change direction quickly, and lacks short-area burst and recovery speed. Can be a split-second slow in coverages due to hesitation and that’s all the receiver needs. Really tries to keep the game in front of him. Provides larger cushions. Showed he can come back downhill and make tackles on screens. Below average ball skills and instincts as tended not to look for the ball on vertical routes. Looks better in the red zone using boundaries for help. Will support and can tackle but on the reluctant side.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. How does he look in press-man coverage?

2. Struggling to change direction quickly?

3. Does he turn and look for the ball downfield?

4. Consistency in run support?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.