Ravens Draft: Is Iowa Prospect the Next Kyle Hamilton?

Cooper DeJean, like Kyle Hamilton before him, has played everywhere on an elite Hawkeyes defense. Is the All-American a lock for the first round?

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) runs back a punt for a touchdown at Kinnick Stadium on / Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY

Few players in college football were as lethal the last few years as Cooper DeJean of Iowa. The Hawkeye corner played almost everywhere on an elite defense and put forth an All-American season as one of the nation's most complete defensive stars.

That certainly sounds like someone on the Baltimore Ravens.

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) runs back a punt for a touchdown at Kinnick Stadium on / Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY

When Kyle Hamilton was drafted with the 14th overall pick two years ago, scouts raved that he was the best safety prospect of the last few seasons. A Pro Bowl and All-Pro season later, and Hamilton has given the Ravens the next top safety to fawn over.

DeJean may be listed as a corner, but his overall intangibles are similar to Hamilton, and could lead him to go early in the draft than many originally expected.

To start, DeJean has played everywhere on the Hawkeyes defense. In three seasons with Iowa, DeJean played as an outside corner, nickel, box safety, and in centerfield. He has excelled everywhere he has played - including as a returner.

The similarities are such between DeJean and Baltimore's top player in the backend that, according to Bleacher Report, several NFL executives see DeJean as a safety in the NFL that can be used everywhere on the field.

If DeJean is half the athlete Hamilton is, the team drafting him will be very happy. At the very least, it should be good for the Ravens to know that they have the blueprint now for what elite safety play looks like again.