Horseshoe Huddle

Colts Prospect Fits: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Cooper DeJean has the production and athleticism the Indianapolis Colts covet at the position.

Andrew Moore

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The NFL Draft is just under a month away and the Indianapolis Colts will be entering the event with quite a few needs on the roster. The most pressing need is at cornerback, a spot that hasn’t seen any outside additions despite struggling mightily a year ago. 

The Colts may be pigeonholed into taking a cornerback high in this upcoming draft class, but luckily there are quite a few options to choose from in round one. If the consensus top two corners (Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold) are gone, then a player like Cooper DeJean becomes intriguing with the Colts’ top selection. 

How does this playmaking defensive back fit the Colts’ defense? 

Background

DeJean is a former four-star recruit who starred as a starting quarterback, cornerback, and punt returner in high school. He led his team to back-to-back state championships in his final two seasons, amassing 9,520 yards of total offense and 132 total touchdowns in that two-year span. He was also a highly touted basketball player, averaging 25.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists as a senior on 57% shooting from the field. As a track star, DeJean also ran a blazing best time of 10.66 in the 100-meter dash and won state titles in both the long jump and 4X100 relay. 

He chose to attend Iowa as a cornerback despite having an offer from South Dakota State to play quarterback out of high school. He immediately saw time as a true freshman in 2021, starting a game at strong safety and standing out on special teams. He switched to cornerback for his sophomore season and truly broke out for the Hawkeyes. He finished the year with five interceptions, returning three of them back for touchdowns. He was named First Team All-Big Ten for his play at just 19 years old. 

He returned for his final season in 2023 looking to build off of his breakout season the year prior. DeJean emerged as one of the best punt returners in college football while also holding it down at cornerback with two interceptions. He earned Unanimous All-America honors for his strong play and once again was named First Team All-Big Ten. A late-season leg fracture limited his ability to work out this offseason, but he will host a private pro day for NFL teams in roughly a week. 

What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Fit with the Colts

DeJean is a very unique player at cornerback. He is a fantastic athlete and he should post insane numbers in both the 40-yard dash and in the explosive drills at his pro day next week. He has a little bit of stiffness when it comes to throttling down in man coverage, but he makes up for it by being a next-level instinctual playmaker. 

DeJean has some of the better zone eyes I have seen in a cornerback prospect. He has an outstanding feel for where he is on the field at all times and recognizes route concepts like a former quarterback should. His explosiveness out of his breaks allows him to break on passes underneath and his ball tracking over the top is borderline receiver level. He may struggle with true man coverage assignments in the NFL, but he has the potential to be an elite zone coverage player at the next level. 

His stiffness and struggles in man coverage may lead to most teams wanting to move him to safety, but the Colts are the exact type of team that needs a player like DeJean. The Colts rarely put their cornerbacks in man coverage situations, so DeJean would be able to play to his strengths in Indy. The Colts had a total of one interception from outside cornerbacks last season and a player with DeJean’s ball skills could change that from day one. 

DeJean is also a fantastic tackler as well. The Colts’ younger cornerbacks struggled massively in this regard last season, as players like Jaylon Jones and Darrell Baker Jr. were consistently giving up yards after the catch. DeJean is a technically sound tackler that fits runs like a strong safety. He would give the Colts a Kenny Moore II level of impact in the run game if he were selected by the team. 

The added bonus of a player like DeJean is the versatility that he brings. Want to get Jones some reps at outside cornerback? DeJean can move inside to the nickel or pop up top to free safety in a pinch as well. Need an elite level punt returner that has game-breaking ability? DeJean was one of the top return men at the college level and will bring that ability to the NFL. 

DeJean is a versatile weapon for a defensive coordinator at the next level, and this Colts team simply needs playmakers on that side of the ball. 

The Bottom Line

The Colts have essentially pigeonholed themselves into needing a cornerback high in this upcoming draft class. If the top two corners in the class are gone by pick 15, then the next best option could be to look at a player like DeJean. This Colts’ defense was severely lacking in playmakers last season, and a player like DeJean could instantly turn a weakness into a strength. 

He may be more of a trade back option than a player to take at 15, but I personally love DeJean’s fit with the Colts. This scheme is well-suited for his play style and his skills, and he would give the defense a different dynamic alongside the lengthy JuJu Brents. DeJean would be one of my ideal targets for the Colts this draft season if they move back to the early to mid 20’s on draft night.

Need your fill on daily Colts content? Head over to the Locked On Colts YouTube channel, where Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks hit on all the major topics surrounding this team. Hit that subscribe button while you are there!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

Published
Andrew Moore

ANDREW MOORE

Andrew Moore is the Senior Analyst for Horseshoe Huddle and an Indianapolis Colts expert. Andrew is also the co-host of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast and the former co-host of A Colts Podcast.