Iowa CB Cooper DeJean Injury Update Revealed: Atlanta Falcons Draft Target?

A potential Atlanta Falcons draft target has been cleared to return to football activities.

Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top cornerback prospects of the 2024 NFL Draft class is back on the football field.

Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Cooper DeJean, a projected first-round pick in this month's draft, has been medically cleared to return to football activities, per multiple reports. DeJean, who suffered a fractured fibula in November, will hold an indvidual workout for NFL teams on April 8, as he missed the combine and Iowa's pro day while recovering.

Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

DeJean's return to football activities is great news for teams in need of cornerback help, with the Atlanta Falcons being one of those teams.

Atlanta already has a bonafide CB1 in former first-round pick A.J. Terrell, and his second-team All-Pro selection in 2021 proves his prowess. He hasn't been quite as dominant since then, but he's still a strong option at the position.

Aside from Terrell, though, the Falcons' cornerback room leaves a lot to be desired. Clark Phillips III and Dee Alford are both young and unproven, and Mike Hughes isn't exactly starting caliber.

The Falcons clearly need a new running mate to support Terrell, and the draft may be the best way to address such a need. DeJean is commonly projected to go in the late teens-early 20s, which is quite a bit after Atlanta picks at No. 8 overall. Projections are just that, though, and if the Falcons like DeJean enough, they'll find a way to get him.