The Green Bay Packers have become well known for opting for defense in the first-round picks in the NFL Draft. 12 out of their last 13 first-round draft picks going toward the defensive side of the ball, besides QB Jordan Love. The Green Bay Packers have loaded up on defensive talent, and according to many 2024 NFL Mock Drafts, the Packers are likely to continue this trend with many eyes floating towards the University of Iowa’s Cooper Dejean.
In 2023 the Green Bay Packers drafted a former teammate of Dejean, edge rusher Lukas Van Ness with the 13th pick in the draft. Lukas Van Ness came into the NFL as a physical freak with a lot of work to be done, and through his rookie season, he showed all the flashes of talent expected. Van Ness tallied four sacks and 32 tackles in his minimal role as a depth rusher for the Green Bay Packers. In this crucial 2024 off-season for his development, he turned back to his college days.
Lukas Van Ness And Cooper Dejean Put In Offseason Training Together
In an Instagram post by Van Ness and Cooper Dejean, they revealed they were putting in some work together during the offseason.
Lukas Van Ness should drag Cooper DeJean back to Green Bay pic.twitter.com/EtWL0bbumB
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 4, 2024
As the Packers face question marks in the slot cornerback spot, outside corner, and glaring problems in the safety room, Dejean can plug any of those spots.
Cooper Dejean stands at a prototypical 6’1 205 pounds, his form transfers into an unmatched speed and power that makes him one of the best athletes on any field. He has put top-tier ball instincts/production on tape to go along with scary closing speed. However, it is a question if he can survive consistent snaps as an outside corner in man coverage against elite NFL talent (mainly in press,) because of his shorter arms and comfortability with eyes on the quarterback.
Dejean is also an invaluable asset to special teams and could be a first-year gunner and return man for any team in the NFL (something the Packers are in the market for.) Experienced in multiple levels of defense, the Packers could use Dejean as a “plug and play” option wherever they need him to be throughout his first year.
If the Green Bay Packers have the chance to pair the Iowa Hawkeyes stud defenders together again, it is likely they take the opportunity.
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