Despite allowing the 7th-fewest passing yards and the 2nd-fewest passing touchdowns last season, the Buffalo Bills overhauled their secondary because of limited cap space. The Bills released Tre’Davious White, Siran Neal, and Jordan Poyer.
They re-signed Taylor Rapp, Taron Johnson, and Cam Lewis and signed a safety from the AFC West.
The Buffalo Bills signed a safety from the AFC West.
Mike Edwards signed a 1-year, $2.8 million contract with a $1 million signing bonus and $1.6 million guaranteed.
Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, and Taron Johnson would be the starting cornerbacks, and Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards would be the safeties if the season started today.
The Bills could use an upgrade at safety.
The Bills had a top-30 visit with a defensive back.
The Buffalo Bills had a visit with a top defensive back.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bills had a top-30 visit with Cooper DeJean.
DeJean is considered one of the best defensive back prospects in the draft. He played college football at Iowa.
Cooper DeJean had a successful career with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
DeJean committed to the Hawkeyes as a four-star recruit for the 2021 season.
DeJean played in seven games in 2021. He had four tackles and one kick return for 20 yards.
DeJean played in 13 games, starting ten at cornerback and three at LEO/CASH in 2022, with 75 tackles, three for a loss, five interceptions, three pick-sixes, and eight pass deflections. He also had ten punt returns for 165 yards. He won Music City Bowl’s Most Valuable Player, the league media named him to the first-team All-Big Ten, and league coaches named him to the second-team All-Big Ten.
DeJean played in ten games, starting ten at cornerback in 2023, with 41 tackles, two for a loss, two interceptions, and five pass deflections. He also had 21 punt returns for 241 yards and one touchdown. He fractured his right fibula and missed the last four games. The Big Ten named him to the first-team All-Big Ten, and the Associated Press named him a first-team All-American.
Lance Zierlein did a scouting report of Cooper DeJean.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Network did a scouting report of DeJean. Here’s what he had to say about his play style and what he needs to work on.
“Highly competitive defensive back with plus ball skills and noteworthy special teams value. DeJean is big and bundled for a cornerback, with muscular arms and tight hips. He has fantastic interception production, but his movements are more linear than fluid, and he doesn’t have the easy change of direction needed in man coverage on the next level.
“His best football is played with his eyes forward, using his instincts to challenge quarterbacks and his big downhill burst to smack whatever needs smacking. He would seem to be a no-brainer as a punt returner and gunner in Year 1. DeJean should be a big athletic tester, which will help get the hype train going, but finding the proper schematic fit will be important in unlocking his best football as a zone corner or interchangeable safety.”
Where will Cooper DeJean line up in the NFL?
It’s unclear what position DeJean will play in the NFL, and it’s ultimately up to the team that drafts him. Some scouts think he can play as an outside cornerback, a slot cornerback, or a safety.
Which team drafts Cooper DeJean?
For More Content:
Follow me on Twitter/X @JacksonLoschko. If you have any questions, you can message me on Linkedin. To read more of our articles and be updated on the latest in CFB/NFL, click here.