The Green Bay Packers are set to make a big move in the 2024 NFL Draft, as they have their sights set on Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Cooper DeJean. According to NFL.com writer Eric Edholm’s latest mock draft, the Packers will select DeJean in the first round. The Packers’ secondary has been identified as an area that needs improvement, and DeJean’s versatility as a defensive back would be a valuable addition to the team.
DeJean, who decided to forgo his senior year at Iowa, is a junior with impressive physical attributes. Standing at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing 207 pounds, he is slightly larger than the average NFL defensive back. After a limited role in his freshman year, DeJean made a name for himself in his sophomore season, recording 5 interceptions, including a 14-yard pick-six in Iowa’s 21-0 victory over Kentucky in the 2022 Music City Bowl.
Throughout his junior season, DeJean continued to impress, playing almost 400 defensive snaps without allowing a touchdown. He also showcased his skills on special teams, leading the Big Ten Conference in punt return average. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to a leg injury in November.
If the Packers do indeed select DeJean, he would become the 23rd Hawkeye to be drafted by the Packers since the inaugural NFL Draft in 1936. He would also be the second Hawkeye in two years to be chosen by the Packers in the first round, following defensive end Lukas Van Ness, who was selected 13th overall in 2023. DeJean would be the first Hawkeyes defensive back to join the Packers since Josh Jackson in 2018.
Lukas Van Ness Dominates in First Season with Packers
In a stunning debut season, Lukas Van Ness, a former Hawkeye, has made a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with on the Packers’ defensive line. Van Ness recorded an impressive 4 sacks and 24 tackles, showcasing his exceptional skills and potential for greatness.
The Packers have a history of success when it comes to drafting former Hawkeyes. Just look at defensive tackle Mike Daniels, who was selected by the Packers in 2012. Daniels went on to have a remarkable seven-season career with the green and gold, earning a Pro Bowl selection in the 2017 season. Another notable success story is Aaron Kampman, a defensive end drafted in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Kampman played eight seasons for the Packers, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, he even finished second in the NFL with an impressive 15.5 sacks.
Packers fans with a keen memory may also recall the legendary cornerback Bob Jeter, who was drafted by the team in the second round of the 1960 NFL Draft. Jeter played a crucial role in the Packers’ three consecutive NFL championship victories between 1965 and 1967. Alongside Hall of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley, Jeter helped the Packers boast the NFL’s lowest passing yards allowed from 1964 to 1968.
Looking ahead to the 2024 draft, the Packers are in a favorable position with 11 picks across the seven rounds. This abundance of draft capital provides an opportunity for the team to continue building a young and talented roster. In fact, the Packers fielded the youngest roster in the NFL in 2023, and with the addition of numerous draft picks this year, they are poised to become even younger. With so many picks at their disposal, Packers fans eagerly await the team’s choices, hoping for a decision that will propel them to future success.
Beckett Callan, a Wisconsin-based sports reporter, covers the Packers and brings you the latest updates on their draft prospects and team news. Stay connected for more exciting developments as the Packers gear up for what promises to be an eventful draft season.
