One of the most talked about prospects in the NFL Draft is meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, Iowa superstar cornerback Cooper DeJean is in Pittsburgh for a top 30 pre-draft visit.
DeJean is a consensual first-round pick among most mock draft experts. However, he fractured his fibula late in the 2023 season. Some scouts have been concerned about his health. During his visit with the Steelers coaching staff and members of the medical team, he will likely be grilled about his rehab and recovery to ensure he will be ready to go once the season starts.
DeJean recently hosted his own Pro Day after being cleared to return to the field. He ran roughly a 4.42 40-yard dash, had a 38½-inch vertical leap and impressed those in attendance with his performance.
During his career at Iowa, DeJean recorded seven interceptions, three returned for touchdowns, and 120 tackles. He also returned punts, totaling 406 return yards and a touchdown. Despite his late-season injury, he was named first-team All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.
DeJean projects as someone who can play outside, in the slot, or at safety. So, he could be a versatile chess piece that would be a major asset to the Steelers.
DeJean is billed as one of the top cornerback prospects in the draft, a position the Steelers could use help at. His average draft position at NFL Mock Draft Database is currently 21st overall, just one spot after Pittsburgh’s first pick of the draft.
Many mock drafts are projecting that Pittsburgh may look at an offensive lineman or a wide receiver with that first pick. However, the depth of this cornerback class is not as great as some other positions. Meaning, it may be smarter for Pittsburgh to address the holes in the defensive backfield sooner rather than later.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has DeJean rated as the 21st-best player in this draft.
“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. DeJean has the physical tools to be the top corner in this class, but unfortunately, his 2023 season ended early because of a broken leg he suffered in practice in mid-November. He finished with two picks.”
The Steelers are looking for cornerback help. Right now, Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson are the only corners with notable playing experience. The rest of the depth chart holds Cory Trice and Darius Rush who have seen little to no game action.
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