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How Cooper DeJean performed in individual workout in front of NFL scouts
DeJean affirms what scouts saw before last year’s injury in his individual pro day
John Steppe
Apr. 10, 2024 1:53 pm
IOWA CITY — Cooper DeJean finally had his chance to show off his skills in front of NFL scouts.
After being unable to participate in drills at the NFL Combine and Iowa’s pro day due to his recovery from last year’s season-ending injury, the Iowa defensive back (and special teams star) worked out in front of NFL scouts Monday at Iowa’s Hansen Football Performance Center.
Any comparison between DeJean’s pro day measurements and NFL Combine participants’ measurements comes with an asterisk. The environment and other factors may vary at a school’s pro day versus the circumstances at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Then there is the injury asterisk.
After recovering from a broken fibula — an injury he suffered while practicing on offense — DeJean has had less time to prepare for workouts than his peers in the draft class. When he talked with media at the combine at the end of February, he said he had just begun running at full speed the week before.
All of DeJean’s measurements listed below were released by Iowa football following his workout. He did not participate in agility drills. Considering the ongoing dialogue about whether he will play at cornerback or safety at the next level, both positional ranks are included.
40-yard dash
DeJean’s pro day time: 4.42 seconds
How that would rank at the NFL Combine: Tied for ninth out of 29 cornerbacks; tied for second out of 19 safeties
Given DeJean’s altered recovery window and his bigger size at the position — 6 feet and 1/2 inch and 203 pounds, as measured at the combine — his 4.42-second 40-yard dash time this week is outstanding.
The eight cornerbacks who ran faster times in Indianapolis all weighed between 173 and 195 pounds. The three cornerbacks who weighed 200-plus pounds and ran 40-yard dashes at the combine tested at 4.50, 4.53 and 4.64 seconds.
Vertical jump
DeJean’s pro day measurement: 38.5 inches
How that would rank at the NFL Combine: Tied for 10th out of 27 cornerbacks; tied for seventh out of 20 safeties
DeJean’s 38.5-inch vertical jump, while not atop his draft class, is in line with what many early-round cornerbacks have done in recent years.
Emmanuel Forbes, the 16th overall pick in last year’s draft, had a 37.5-inch vertical jump at the 2023 combine. Joey Porter Jr., the first pick of the second round last year, had a 35-inch vertical jump.
Broad jump
DeJean’s pro day measurement: 10 feet, 4 inches
How that would rank at the NFL Combine: Tied for 18th out of 26 cornerbacks; tied for seventh out of 20 safeties
Out of the measurements from DeJean’s combine workout that Iowa released — 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump — his broad jump is the least impressive of the three. It still is a serviceable measurement for DeJean, though.
What this means for DeJean’s draft stock
DeJean helped his future bank account balance on Monday.
The Odebolt native already was a projected first-round pick before the workout, but Monday’s numbers affirmed what scouts saw on film before he broke his fibula.
The 2024 NFL Draft will be April 25-27 in Detroit. ABC, ESPN and NFL Network will televise the three-day event.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
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