13 Days Until NFL Draft: Packers Pick Cooper DeJean in Three-Round Mock
Cooper DeJean was one of the selections for the Packers in the latest NFL mock drafts. He would “add a dose of athleticism” to Green Bay’s secondary.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – With Jordan Love and a batch of hot-shot young receivers, the Green Bay Packers’ offense is primed to contend for a Super Bowl.
The defense isn’t nearly as good. So, in a three-round mock draft by Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson, the Packers selected Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean.
“The Packers already signed free agent safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $68 million deal this offseason,” Robinson explained. “But they need multiple defensive backs after losing Jonathan Owens, Darnell Savage Jr., and Rudy Ford, each of whom played over 600 snaps in 2023. Cooper DeJean could add a dose of athleticism to Green Bay’s secondary and play corner if needed.”
The second-round picks knocked out big needs, too. With all the linebackers available, Robinson went with Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper at No. 41 overall. At No. 58, the choice was Houston left tackle Patrick Paul, a physical specimen at 331 pounds and with 36 1/4-inch arms and 5.13 speed in the 40.
The third round bolstered the defensive line and offensive line.
Mock Draft Database: The People Say …
It’s not just Robinson’s mock that sent DeJean to the Packers. According to Mock Draft Database, the consensus is the Packers will take the Iowa star.
The most-mocked players: DeJean (17.9 percent), Tyler Guyton (9.3 percent) and Graham Barton (9.2 percent).
CBS Sports: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
With a whopping eight offensive linemen off the board – not to mention Cooper DeJean – Josh Edwards went with Suamataia over Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. The upside with Suamataia is there’s no projection involved as he played right tackle in 2022 and left tackle in 2023.
“Suamataia becomes the left tackle in Green Bay, replacing longtime stalwart David Bakhtiari,” Edwards wrote. “Suamataia is the cousin of Lions right tackle Penei Sewell.”
NBC Sports: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
Who will start opposite Jaire Alexander at cornerback? Kyle Dvorchak noted Stokes’ injury problems and struggles when he was in the lineup. “Wiggins played almost exclusively on the outside at Clemson and would likely take over for Stokes right away.”
In this mock, DeJean went 17th to Jacksonville and Kool-Aid McKinstry went 23rd to Arizona.
CBS Sports: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
Jeff Kerr said Wiggins – the fastest cornerback in the draft – “too good to pass up” at this spot. A two-year starter, he had three interceptions and 19 passes defensed.
With six offensive tackles off the board, Wiggins was the pick over DeJean, McKinstry and Ennis Rakestraw.
CBS Sports: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kyle Stockpole noted Green Bay’s extensive history of using its first draft pick on a defensive player. So, he took McKinstry, who would bring “length and high-football IQ” to Green Bay’s revamped secondary.
Eight offensive linemen were off the board, including Tyler Guyton to Dallas at No. 24.
The Ringer: Duke OL Graham Barton
This updated mock didn’t update the pick. It’s still Barton, a three-year starting left tackle at Duke who might not have the length to stay at tackle in the NFL.
“With the loss of guard Jon Runyan Jr., Barton figures to first find time on the interior, where he can win a starting guard spot over Sean Rhyan in camp. Of course, questions at tackle could also be solved by Barton, if Rasheed Walker doesn’t take the anticipated leap this offseason, or if injuries lead to a midseason scramble.”
DeJean went No. 23 to Tennessee in a proposed trade.
NFL Trade Rumors: Georgia OT Amarius Mims
Ethan Woodie went with the huge, athletic “project” that is Mims as the potential left tackle of the future. Mims’ eight collegiate starts came at right tackle but he probably has the physical tools to move to Jordan Love’s blind side.
“He’s got great technique, and the type of size and length teams covet at the position.”
McKinstry went 29th to Detroit.
Seven-Round Packers Mock Draft 9.0
First-round offensive tackle and a receiver and running back in Day 2.
Packers Predraft Visits Tracker
Here are the NFL Draft prospects who have come to Green Bay to meet with the Packers.
