Packers Land Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, Receiver in New Mock Drafts
GREEN BAY, Wis. – With needs ranging from large (cornerback) to extra large (safety) to potential (slot), the Green Bay Packers enter the offseason looking to bolster their secondary.
In a four-round mock draft by Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling, the Packers grabbed jack-of-all-trades Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean.
“One of the most versatile and athletic players in the entire draft, DeJean can line up on the outside or in the slot at corner, as well as on the back end at safety. He also brings added value as a big-play threat in the return game,” Easterling wrote.
DeJean had five interceptions, including three pick-sixes, in 2022. He returned a punt for a touchdown in 2023, when he allowed just 20-of-46 passing, according to Pro Football Focus. Most of his snaps have come at cornerback, though he did play 140 snaps in the slot in 2022.
“I feel like it’s more about my versatility. I’ve proved that I can play outside and inside [in the slot],” DeJean said at the Scouting Combine this week. “Being able to play multiple different positions, I think that’s an advantage coming into this league. I’ll play anywhere. I just want to play ball.”
DeJean might go through the draft process without having a 40-yard time or numbers in other tests. He suffered a broken fibula in November and only recently started running at full speed. He didn’t think he’d perform at Iowa’s pro day, set for March 18, but he could hold an individual workout in April.
The tape at Iowa – and his high school basketball video – show an elite athlete.
“I'm a physical guy,” DeJean said. “I can run. I have good feel for the game. I feel like I can help out in the run game, as well.”
Easterling’s mock published before the Scouting Combine. So, the first of Green Bay’s second-round picks, Miami safety Kamren Kinchens, might have a 0 percent chance of coming to fruition. The second second-rounder, Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, would be much more likely. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Cooper ran his 40 in 4.51 seconds and posted an elite Relative Athletic Score.
A 6-foot-6, 306-pound defensive lineman with excellent athleticism, an All-American guard and a perhaps-too-short running back fill out the third and fourth rounds.
Pro Football Network (7 Rounds): Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
Owain Jones’ seven-rounder started with Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, who is “the most athletically gifted offensive tackle” in the draft class.
The second-round picks addressed the secondary with Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa and Maryland safety Beau Brade. Both are overlooked prospects in strong draft classes. At almost 6-foot-1, Tampa has excellent size. He had three interceptions the last two seasons. Brade would replace another Maryland player, Darnell Savage, in the secondary. He had 170 tackles and three interceptions the past two seasons and plays with physicality.
One of the big winners at running back at the Combine was Florida State’s Trey Benson. He was a third-round pick. “His size, speed, and contact balance make him get yards after contact more than any other prospect,” Jones said. A few picks later, the pick was Michigan slot Mike Sainristil, who is too short for Green Bay’s tastes.
The Day 3 picks were rounded out by a quarterback.
Interestingly, offensive players filled all 10 spots in the Top 10 before Minnesota took a pass rusher at No. 11.
Sporting News (2 Rounds): Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
Vinnie Iyer kicked off his latest mock with Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins. After running one of the fastest 40s of all-time, would he be available at No. 25? His “versatility and size” would make him an excellent counterpart to Jaire Alexander.
The second-round picks, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Calen Bullock, would improve the Packers’ coverage.
Tankathon (3 Rounds): First-Round Receiver!
A three-round mock draft started with the most unlikely of selections: LSU receiver Brian Thomas.
First of all, Thomas probably won’t be available at No. 25. Not after running a 4.34 in the 40 at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds.
Second, the Packers are loaded at receiver.
Third, well, it’s a receiver, and you know the history.
The second-round picks were used on Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin and Texas running back Jonathon Brooks, who we featured here and here.
Third-round picks addressed cornerback and the offensive line.
