Versatile Defensive Back Selected by the Rams at No. 19?

Approximately three months remain until the 2024 NFL draft and the interest in quarterbacks is evident, with the possibility of five signal-callers to be selected in the opening round. Although, the Los Angeles Rams could be looking elsewhere for their first-round pick.

For the first time since selecting Jared Goff in 2016, the Rams have a first-round pick. After eight years of waiting for their first-round selection, it is expected the Rams will target a defensive player at No. 19 to add to the growth the defense saw in 2023.

To compensate for struggles in pass defense and interceptions selecting a skilled cornerback is top of mind and USA Today believes cornerback Cooper DeJean could be a Rams pick in their latest mock draft. In 2023, DeJean demonstrated impressive defensive prowess, tallying two interceptions and five pass breakups in 10 games. Notably, he did not allow a touchdown in 388 snaps of coverage.

Excelling as a returner, he averaged 11.5 yards on punt returns and scored a 70-yard touchdown against Michigan State. Another touchdown against Minnesota was overturned due to what officials deemed an invalid fair catch signal. Unfortunately, DeJean suffered an injury during mid-November practice, causing him to miss Iowa’s final two regular-season games and the Big Ten championship.

Football analyst Mel Kipper ranked DeJean at No. 12 on his Top 25 list and had this to say about the young prospect:

“Iowa’s defense produced two first-round picks (Lukas Van Ness and Jack Campbell) and a third-rounder (Riley Moss) in the 2023 draft, and yet it was DeJean who kept catching my eye when I went back through the 2022 film. He had five interceptions, including three that he returned for touchdowns. But it wasn’t just the big plays — I was impressed with his technique on a snap-to-snap basis. He played in the slot and out wide, showing off tremendous speed to stick to receivers. He’s just silky as a cover man.”