NFL Coach Calls Cooper DeJean Best DB in 2024 Draft, Compares to Minkah Fitzpatrick

Cooper DeJean has spent months rehabbing a fractured fibula, but at least one defensive backs coach saw enough on tape to believe he's the best defensive back in the 2024 NFL draft.

"This is the best DB in the class. He has the rare ability to be a nickel one year, a safety the next and a corner the next," the coach told Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. "He'll be a great chess piece. He doesn't have the linear straight line transitions of what you want in a first-round corner. But you see some Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jevon Holland in there. He can play outside, in the slot, in the deep part of the field. I think whoever gets him will be really happy with him."

DeJean was named the Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year and Rodgers–Dwight Return Specialist of the Year while earning All-American honors in 2023. While the leg fracture ended his season early, he recovered enough to run a 4.42-second time at Iowa's pro day.

Some have wondered whether DeJean has the lateral quickness to transition to corner at the NFL level, which has kept his stock toward the latter portion of the first round. However, the coach who talked to Feldman seemingly sees DeJean's versatility as a strength. He could line up essentially anywhere on the field.

DeJean will also have an opportunity to make a difference as a playmaker in the return game.