Packers.com has consulted more than two dozen mock drafts from reputable national outlets and compiled a list of players most frequently mocked as draft selections in the latter portion of the first round (picks 20-32) who could be available when the Packers are on the clock at No. 25 overall.
Between now and draft day, those players will be profiled with thumbnail sketches and videos known as "Prospect Primers."
Today's player is …
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Height/Weight: 6-0 ½, 203
Key stats: Intercepted seven passes the last two years, returning three for TDs (all in 2022 to set school single-season record), and averaged 13.1 yards on 31 punt returns, with one TD (and another called back via penalty).
College honors: Unanimous/consensus first-team All-America selection in 2023, also first-team All-Big Ten on defense and as return specialist, winning league's defensive back of the year and return specialist of the year awards. Also was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top DB) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defender).
Background/other info: Perhaps the most versatile defensive back in this draft, could play boundary corner, slot corner or safety as a pro. According to Pro Football Focus, allowed just 20 completions on 46 targets last season. Was one of the country's most dynamic defenders and punt returners the past two years, but missed the tail end of his college career due to a broken fibula. That prevented him from working out at the combine, but was deemed fully recovered in early April and impressed at a personal pro day, clocking a 4.43 in the 40 with a 38½-inch vertical jump and 10-4 broad jump. Tested so well the odds have diminished that he'll be available in the bottom third of the first round. Viewed as a instinctive playmaker on both defense and special teams with high-level competitiveness and confidence. The only question is finding his best fit in a given defensive scheme.
