Packers’ Perfect Pick: Big Ten’s Defensive Powerhouse Set to Rock Green Bay in NFL 2024 Mock Draft
By and large, the Green Bay Packers exceeded expectations in the 2023 NFL season. Now, it’s about finding ways to sustain their form and build on the success they enjoyed during the first year without legendary quarterback and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.
But while Jordan Love has always been mentioned as among the chief reasons behind the Packers’ surprising 2023 campaign, the defense deserves attention as well, which is also why Eric Edholm of NFL.com has Green Bay pegged to pick a defensive weapon in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Packers have needs at corner and safety, and I believe DeJean could end up at either spot in the NFL. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has used a lot of single-high looks, and I can picture a player like the rangy DeJean fitting that role. Plus, Green Bay has enjoyed a long history of drafting successful Hawkeyes, for whatever that’s worth.
The Green Bay Packers have the No. 25 pick in the first round and they have a number of options on how to use that selection. If they are to spend that on DeJean, they will be getting an intriguing prospect who played a major role in one of the stingiest stop units in the 2023 college football season. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished that campaign ranked fourth in the nation with just 14.8 points allowed per game and fifth with just 170.7 passing yards surrendered per outing.
DeJean has a solid 77.4 overall rating from Pro Football Focus. In three years with the Hawkeyes, DeJean had seven interceptions and 13 passes defended plus 120 total tackles.
The Packers may need to shore up the depth of their secondary, and getting a cornerback like DeJean seems like a good idea for Green Bay.