Steelers showing strong interest in versatile defender at Scouting Combine

The Steelers have several holes to fill on their roster this offseason, making their No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft even more important.

Many have linked Pittsburgh to selecting an offensive lineman, such as Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims or Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, with its first-round pick. However, the team seems to be considering using it on a versatile defender instead.

Iowa DB Cooper DeJean said on Thursday that he's met with the Steelers, specifically head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, "a few times" already at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"They're great guys. They're fun to talk to. Really, really cool laid-back guys. Fun to talk football with, for sure," DeJean told reporters, via Steelers Depto.

DeJean has posted 120 tackles, seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed and three touchdowns over the past three seasons at Iowa. He has also returned 31 punts, averaging 13.1 yards per return with one touchdown.

The 21-year-old currently ranks as Pro Football Focus' best cornerback and No. 7 overall prospect on its big board. However, in most of the "experts" mock drafts, DeJean has been projected to be taken near the end of the first round. 

Why?

It likely has to do with his health. In mid-November, DeJean broke his leg, which forced him to miss the Hawkeyes' final four games of the season, including the Big Ten Championship game.

DeJean underwent surgery but gave some promising news about how his recovery is going.

"I've been rehabbing ever since," DeJean said, via Jeff Legwold of ESPN. "[I] just started running full speed last week. I plan on working out at some point before the draft. I am [medically] cleared. I'm just progressing right now."

If Pittsburgh feels good about DeJean's health, it has a good chance to land him at pick No. 20.

DeJean understands that could happen but also acknowledged whichever team takes a chance on him will be getting a true football player.

"Being able to play multiple different positions, I think that's an advantage coming into this league, to be able to play wherever they put me," DeJean added, via ESPN. "It doesn't matter to me, to be honest. I just want to play ball."