HEIGHT: 6'0½"

WEIGHT: 203

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 31⅛"

WINGSPAN: 74⅞"

40-YARD DASH: 4.43

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 38.5"

BROAD: 10'4"

POSITIVES

— Elite athlete with excellent size for the cornerback position. Possesses the desired top-end speed and movement skills for the NFL.

— Has very good vision and route recognition. Puts himself in a good position with proper spacing and leverage. Able to read and react to quarterbacks eyes.

— Value as a top-notch returner. Has done kick returning in his career but excels best as a punt returner, where he uses his vision, speed and overall athleticism to gain chunks of yards.

NEGATIVES

— Can struggle in coverage at times. Lacks initial short-area quickness, which can lead to separation out of breaks. Also has shown to hop into breaks at times, affecting transitions.

— Suffered a season-ending lower leg injury toward the end of 2023 season. Need to see how he heals and if he is able to get back to his previous form.

2023 STATISTICS

— 10 G, 41 TOT, 2 TFL, 5 PD, 2 INT

— Punt Return: 21 RET, 241 YDS (11.5 AVG), 1 TD

NOTES

— Born Feb. 9, 2003

— 23 career starts

— 4-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Suffered season-ending fractured fibula in mid-November

— 2023 unanimous consensus first-team All-American

— 2023 first-team All-American return specialist (Sports Illustrated)

OVERALL

Cooper DeJean is one of the elite athletes in this year's draft. He has great size for a cornerback along with very good movement skills and versatility.

DeJean started his career at Iowa as a safety in 2021 before transitioning to cornerback. Along with his positional flexibility, he also provides real value as a return man.

DeJean has great length and very good strength for his position. He has fluid hips to open and run along with the speed to carry receivers deep.

DeJean excels in zone coverage, but he's versatile enough to play man as well. He shows a smooth backpedal and the ability to keep his leverage and quick footwork with few wasted steps. Although he transitions well, there are times where DeJean hops into his breaks; allowing a step of separation.

When in zone, DeJean does a great job of reading and reacting to the quarterback's eyes. Pairing that skill set with his route recognition, he often puts himself in good position with leverage and positioning.

While working downfield, DeJean has the strength necessary to hand-fight with tight ends and bigger receivers, as well as the speed necessary to carry twitchier receivers downfield. He also does a very good job of locating the ball and playing through the catch point.

When playing the run, DeJean does a great job of using his size and physicality, although he lacks the aggressiveness needed when attacking blocks on the edge. He often looks to use his quickness or dance around blocks. While taking on blocks, he does a very good job of looking through into the backfield and quickly disengaging to get to the ball-carrier. He has shown to be a wrap tackler who likes to lead with his shoulder and often wraps up to get the ball-carrier down on the ground.

Though DeJean has the size and physicality to play safety in the NFL, he has the ball skills and movement skills to play cornerback. Although he will fit best in a zone scheme, he's one of the top cornerback prospects in this year's draft class and has added return ability that most don't have.

It remains to be seen whether DeJean can return to his pre-injury form. Regardless, he has the skill set to go within the first two rounds and should make a push as a starter early in his NFL career.

GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player- 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 27

POSITION RANK: CB4

PRO COMPARISON: Jevon Holland

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

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