Iowa’s Cooper DeJean snubbed from first round of 2024 NFL Draft

IOWA CITY — Cooper DeJean will have to wait another day to find his NFL home.

Iowa’s unanimous All-American defensive back did not hear his name called during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday.

DeJean, who was widely projected to be a first-round pick, will be one of the top available prospects as the second round begins on Friday at 6 p.m.

Three defensive backs — Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell (No. 22), Alabama’s Terrion Mitchell (No. 24) and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins (No. 30) — were selected in the first round instead of DeJean.

“Where he's actually drafted varies with every team,” Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker said last week. “What's their need and where they're going to play him at? Are they going to play him at corner or inside at the cash or are they going to play him at safety?”

DeJean missed the last two regular-season games, Big Ten championship game and Citrus Bowl with a season-ending injury suffered while practicing on offense. He could not participate in drills at the NFL Combine although he later held an individual pro day.

While DeJean will miss out on first-round money, being a second-round pick of course does not preclude him from a first-round-caliber NFL career.

“I know that wherever he goes, he's going to be successful,” Parker said.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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