Iowa Hawkeye Star Snubbed in the First Round of the NFL Draft

Iowa's sure-fire first-round draft pick in this year's NFL Draft will have to wait another day to hear his name called.

Cooper DeJean, Iowa's unanimous All-American cornerback did not hear his name called during last night's first round of the NFL Draft, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. DeJean was widely reported to be a lock for the first round with many experts thinking he would go in the mid to late first round. My Green Bay Packers at pick #25 was a popular spot in many mock drafts. It turns out that NFL scouts know a bit more than those of us doing the mock drafts!

The Gazette reports that there were three other cornerbacks taken in the first round other than DeJean, including Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo at #22, Terrion Mitchell of Alabama at #24, and Nate Wiggins from Clemson at #30. Not being selected is a bit of a bummer for DeJean who misses out on first-round NFL Draft pick money. But I'd expect several teams will try and trade up in the second round later tonight to try and grab the former Hawkeye.

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While many Iowa fans are no doubt surprised that DeJean didn't get drafted, perhaps NFL executives are nervous about the injury he suffered late last season. DeJean suffered a severe leg injury in practice and missed the last two regular season games. the Big Ten Championship game, and the Citrus Bowl, according to the Gazette. While DeJean didn't go to the NFL combine, he put up impressive numbers at his Iowa pro day.

Round two of the NFL Draft gets underway at 6 p.m. tonight. Expect to hear Cooper's name called early.