Colts Get Versatile Defender in PFF Mock Draft

Latest Mock Draft from Pro Football Focus has Indianapolis Colts getting a versatile defender and a steal in the second round.

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback has been a popular choice for the Indianapolis Colts in recent mock drafts. However, the choice of corners has usually been between Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama's Terrion Arnold.

Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus (PFF) changed things up in his latest-two-round mock draft with the selection of Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean with the Colts' pick at No. 15 overall.

"Finally medically cleared, Cooper DeJean put together a private workout that confirmed he is a top-tier athlete, which is what the Colts covet above all else," wrote Monson on PFF. "DeJean would help this secondary that is already long on talented, athletic youngsters."

DeJean broke his fibula in November and missed working out at the NFL Combine. Just two weeks after being medically cleared, DeJean put up stellar numbers at his pro day including a 4.43 forty and 38.5-inch vertical leap.

Cooper DeJean’s pro day results put him just outside the top 1% of CBs since 1987 in athleticism testing😲

📸: @MathBomb https://t.co/5njRb2Wgs5 pic.twitter.com/MUmNk1kv9c

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 8, 2024

ESPN's Field Yates wrote last week that teams covet the versatility that DeJean brings to the table.

"What I find most fascinating about the draft for DeJean -- a first-round lock in my mind -- is what the team that drafts him has planned for him right away," wrote Yates on ESPN+. "DeJean's versatility is key. He was an excellent man-to-man cover corner, took snaps in the slot, played as an effective linebacker in some packages and was an incredible punt returner at Iowa. But some pro teams that I've spoken with have evaluated DeJean as a safety and feel confidently that he's the best player at that position in this draft."

Inside, outside, free safety, box safety, return man?

Yes please.

Monson follows up the DeJean pick with former LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas to the Colts at No. 46. Monson admits Thomas falling this low is unlikely.

"The fourth-best receiver on most boards, Brian Thomas Jr. is a little one-dimensional in my eyes, but this is a fit that could make him look like a star," wrote Monson.

Thomas's one dimension could be big plays. Thomas had 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns last year as the primary target for Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

Mel Kiper Jr. and Yates had Thomas going No. 17 to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a Calvin Ridley replacement in their three-round mock on Monday. The Colts getting him in the second round seems a little optimistic.

The takeaway from yet another mock draft is that most media pundits feel the players on the board at 15 who best fit the Colts are cornerbacks. DeJean is an option that hasn't been talked about nearly as much as Mitchell and Arnold.

However, after his excellent pro day following injury and a standout season for Iowa, he's a player Colts fans should keep an eye on.