The Los Angeles Rams got away with a secondary that lacked star power and top-end talent in 2023 after years of fielding the likes of Jalen Ramsey, Eric Weddle, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and even Darious Williams. They made it work, but the defensive back group should be a high-priority position for Los Angeles this offseason.
With the draft coming up in April, the Rams should look to add at least a few DBs, potentially on Day 1. USA TODAY’s Nate Davis released a new mock draft this week where he has the Rams selecting Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean at No. 19 overall.
DeJean can play outside, in the slot or even line up at safety, making him a versatile prospect – which fits the mold of what the Rams like in the secondary. He’s also one of the best return men in the country, returning 21 punts for 241 yards and a touchdown last season alone.
Look who’s scheduled to make their first Round 1 selection since selecting QB Jared Goff atop the 2016 draft. When you’re not particularly good at defending the pass or pilfering them, opting for a talented corner seems like a the right way to end this drought.
DeJean would be an ideal prospect for the Rams in Round 1, given their needs at cornerback and in the return game. They had one of the worst special teams units in the NFL last season, getting very little out of their return specialists.
On defense, DeJean has a knack for finding the ball and making plays, particularly in zone coverage. He had five picks in 2022 and two last season, returning three of those interceptions for touchdowns in 2022.