JUST IN: The Green Bay Packers enhance their secondary; by choosing Iowa’s Cooper DeJean in NFL.com mock draft.

The Green Bay Packers have strengthened their secondary depth in Eric Edholm’s initial mock draft on NFL.com by selecting Cooper DeJean, a cornerback from Iowa. DeJean, standing at 6-1 and weighing 207 pounds, has played over 1,500 defensive snaps for the Hawkeyes in the last two seasons, primarily as a boundary cornerback.

In the 2023 season, DeJean exhibited impressive coverage skills, limiting pass catchers to a 43.5% completion rate on 46 targets, with an average of 9.7 yards per catch. He also secured four pass breakups and two interceptions. His performance in the 2022 season was equally noteworthy, holding opponents to a 51.4% completion rate and 11.4 yards per catch while recording five interceptions and five pass breakups.

DeJean’s tackling abilities are consistent, having missed only eight of his 117 total attempts over the past two seasons. Additionally, he has 439 career special teams snaps, including 31 punt return attempts with an impressive 13.1 yards per attempt.

Brennen Rupp from Packers Wire highlights DeJean’s versatility, describing him as a four-sport athlete with excellent field awareness and ball-playing skills. Rupp emphasizes DeJean’s potential to contribute not only as a safety but also in the slot, showcasing short-area quickness. Furthermore, DeJean’s dynamic punt returning abilities add an extra dimension to his skill set.

The Packers, facing a need for cornerback and secondary depth, currently have limited options under contract in these positions. General Manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledges the inconsistency in the team’s back end and expresses the desire for a fast, physical, and aggressive defense. With DeJean’s adaptability, he could potentially address multiple roles within the secondary, providing options for the Packers to enhance their defense.

DeJean’s suitability as a centerfield-like safety aligns with the defensive schemes run by new coordinator Jeff Hafley, who favors cover-1 formations. Considering the team’s current cornerback roster makeup and the potential departure of free agent Keisean Nixon, DeJean emerges as a versatile solution, possibly filling the slot cornerback position. With the 25th overall pick and five selections in the top 100, the Packers are well-positioned to address their secondary needs in the upcoming draft.