NFL Draft 2024: Why Cooper DeJean is underrated

Usually talking, Terrion Arnold of Alabama, Quniyon Mitchell of Toledo, and Nate Wiggins of Clemson have been mocked forward of fellow defensive again Cooper DeJean within the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft. To some extent, I get it. All of these gamers are superb and I’d be glad to have any of them as Inexperienced Bay Packers, however I’d put DeJean above all of them.

Earlier than we get into why that’s, let me present a fast reminder that I’m unhealthy at draft evaluation, particularly tape research, and what I’m about to jot down is completely primarily based on a man who has…let’s see…17 Google Sheets open at this very second watching sport movie. And never fancy All-22 sport movie both, simply the traditional type, shot from the sideline the place the receivers all run off display screen and it’s unimaginable to inform what’s occurring earlier than replay. So take this with an enormous grain of salt.

After I’m taking a look at numerous gamers, I at all times wish to make an observation of who I feel is usually a Corridor-of-Famer. This can be a foolish however enjoyable train, and I like to recommend attempting it, as a result of whereas you’ll be improper quite a bit (and I’ll possible be improper right here for various causes), it’s nonetheless a helpful train. Corridor of Fame degree gamers are likely to have slightly one thing further. They’re true unicorns athletically like Calvin Johnson, or they blew the doorways off of everybody in faculty even in opposition to excessive degree competitors. Or they’re extraordinarily giant however transfer like a small particular person, like Julius Peppers or Derrick Henry. Davante Adams’ launch. Barry Sanders’ means to vary route. All of them have one thing.

For me, DeJean has that. He’s an ideal athlete, sure, having posted a 9.85 RAS primarily based on his professional day, however the way in which he reads the whole subject, from the QB’s eyes to the receiver’s place is sort of supernatural. Take this interception right here.

It’s one highlight-reel instance, however even routine protection from DeJean includes him understanding the place the ball goes nicely upfront of each different defender on the sphere. It’s simple to scout his velocity and agility. The imaginative and prescient although, is off the charts. You see it in highlights just like the above, in his punt returns the place he reads blocks higher than most operating backs, and on any run play the place he’s combating by means of blocks to make a deal with.

The rumor is that almost all groups mission him as a security, however I feel that projection has created some dissonance when discussing his worth. DeJean could be, I feel, a greater security than nook on the subsequent degree, as a result of he’s at his very best when he can see all the pieces in entrance of him. He’s a ball-hawk, he’s disciplined, and he understands the play in entrance of him in a microsecond. I consider all of the occasions I’ve seen Darnell Savage rocketing out of place to go away poor Adrian Amos alone within the again, and I simply don’t suppose that occurs with DeJean.

It’s additionally true, broadly, that safeties are usually not as precious as corners. It’s very tough to discover a shut-down outdoors nook, and so they’re value their weight in gold. However the math right here is totally different as a result of whereas DeJean can, I feel, be an exceptional security, he also can concurrently be an excellent nook and an excellent slot nook. When your protection has to go heavy or gentle, you’ll be able to depend on DeJean’s versatility holding you out of unhealthy personnel conditions, as a result of he can cowl all the pieces and deal with something. The shortage of an exploitable weak spot and the flexibility to cowl from field security to outdoors nook make DeJean insanely precious to a protection. All of that, plus an uncanny means to make splash performs out of the again and function an elite particular groups gunner AND elite punt returner make him, for my cash, the most effective defensive prospect in the whole draft.

After I first went to observe Cooper DeJean, I used to be extraordinarily skeptical, and assumed he was overrated for various causes. It didn’t take lengthy to utterly flip round on him, as his expertise pops instantly. DeJean is, in fact, not a secret and he’s been mocked to the Packers 1000’s of occasions at this level, however whereas the standard knowledge might be boring, on this occasion I hope it’s appropriate.