Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper may be the first player selected at his position in the 2024 NFL Draft. Cooper is a physical second-level defender with the length and explosiveness necessary to play sideline to sideline. Cooper violently triggers downhill in the run game with the ability to shed would-be blockers and win his gap.
Cooper is versatile enough to defend the pass and blitz as well. He impressively recorded a career-high 10 sacks this past season when utilized as a primary pass-rusher on occasion. NFL defensive coordinators will appreciate his three-down abilities.
Cooper ran a ridiculous 4.51 40 at the NFL Combine with an elite 1.56 10-yard split. His 34.5-inch vertical was a quality result for a defender of his stature. We've identified three ideal team fits for Cooper.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers defense was soft throughout Brandon Staley's tenure. They consistently struggled to stop the run, finishing at the bottom or near the bottom of the league across multiple seasons in that category. New head coach Jim Harbaugh believes in fielding an aggressive, physical defense. Average linebacker play won't appease Harbaugh.
Former first-round linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. signed with the Titans in free agency. Eric Kendricks also left and has been replaced with Denzel Perryman. Is Daiyan Henley, last year's third-rounder, ready to step into a larger role? It's worth noting that Harbaugh and new general manager Joe Horitz weren't the ones who drafted Henley.
Cooper checks a lot of boxes for what Harbaugh looks for in a front-seven defender.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Eagles received abysmal linebacker play throughout the 2023 season. Last year's free agency period essentially saw them swap T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White for Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham. It was a disaster with Philadelphia's defense imploding at every level.
General manager Howie Roseman hasn't addressed the position impressively. Morrow departed for a better opportunity with the Buffalo Bills. Cunningham is a free agent and isn't expected back. Devin White and Oren Burks have been signed to one-year prove-it deals. White was terrible against the run for the Buccaneers this past campaign and Burks is a two-down downhill thumper.
Better athleticism and sideline-to-sideline range are required. The Eagles are scheduled to pick 22nd, 50th, and 53rd. Roseman should prioritize a linebacker like Cooper with one of those picks.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves drafting rangy, physical front-seven defenders early and often. Devonte Wyatt, Rashan Gary, and Quay Walker are some recent examples. Walker has developed into a quality linebacker, but he'll be looking for a new running mate in 2024. De'Vondre Campbell was released from his contract and has since joined the 49ers.
That currently pencils Isaiah McDuffie into a starting role. A former sixth-round pick, McDuffie is best suited as a rotational linebacker as opposed to an every-down starter. I expect Gutekunst to target a new starting 'backer, particularly at No. 41 or 58. That expectation falls in line with Gutekunst's recent draft history. Cooper and Walker would form a speedy, physical duo at inside linebacker.
