It’s a good year to need a cornerback because the 2024 NFL draft is rich with talented ones, from the first round down to Day 3. That bodes well for the Los Angeles Rams, whose biggest roster hole right now might be at that very position.
Cooper DeJean out of Iowa is one potential target for the Rams in Round 1, bringing exceptional ball skills and instincts to the secondary, as well as the ability to return punts.
In Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft for ESPN this week, he sent DeJean to the Rams, giving Los Angeles some much-needed help at cornerback. The Iowa product is one of the best players at his position and fits particularly well in the Rams’ zone-heavy scheme. Kiper sees cornerback as the Rams’ “single biggest need” so this pick makes sense.
DeJean, who would be L.A.’s first Round 1 pick since 2016 (yes, really), is my No. 1-ranked CB. He’s recovering from a broken leg suffered in November, but he still had seven interceptions over the past two seasons. That’d be huge for a defense that forced 15 takeaways in 2023, which ranked 30th in the league. DeJean isn’t expected to work out at the combine, but I still see him as a Day 1 selection.
DeJean won’t be working out at the combine this week due to a broken leg suffered last season, but he is in Indianapolis meeting with teams. He’s also been medically cleared, which is great news.
He’s a near-lock for the first round after picking off seven passes in the last two seasons and returning three of them for touchdowns, allowing just 20 catches on 46 targets for 194 yards and no touchdowns. If he’s available at No. 19, he’d be a great selection by the Rams.