Throughout their existence as one of the league’s most successful franchises, the Green Bay Packers have built a tremendous reputation constructing their roster through the draft. While they have dipped their toes into the free agency waters more in recent years, the NFL draft continues to be the backbone of their success, which has continued with a 7-3 start to the 2024 season.
After mustering just a 2-2 record over the first month of the season, Green Bay has taken off, winning five of their past six contests; their only loss coming to the 9-1 Detroit Lions. While a lot of that is correlated with quarterback Jordan Love being further removed from an MCL injury that kept him out for multiple games, adjustments with the team’s defense have been significant as well.
The Packers are allowing under 21 points per game (20.67) during this six-game stretch, and have particularly impressed in terms of holding down some of the league’s best offenses—Lions (261 yards allowed), Texans (197 yards allowed), and Cardinals (13 points allowed). So, what has changed from the beginning of the season? Edgerrin Cooper.
Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper became the highest-selected linebacker, and thus faced notable expectations replacing De’Vondre Campbell in the back seven of Green Bay’s defense. As you would anticipate with a rookie linebacker, he was brought along slowly, failing to play 40% of the defense’s snaps in any of their first five contests. The next five, however, have been a much different story.
Cooper’s opportunities have not only been consistent during this stretch but have continued to slightly ascend. Following the team’s bye week, he exceeded the 70% threshold for the first time as a professional. Ironically, though, his best individual performance came in the game in which he played the fewest amount of snaps and the defense struggled the most; he was named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Week after accumulating nine tackles, one sack, and a pass defended in Green Bay’s 30-27 Week 8 victory in Jacksonville.
All told, with 2.5 sacks and 52 tackles already under his belt, Cooper has transitioned quickly to the NFL level. That should not necessarily come as a surprise if we follow his scouting report from last December:
“Edgerrin Cooper is a twitched-up second-level defender with the length and explosiveness to live within the lungs of a defense. Aligned primarily as the ‘MIKE’ within the Aggies defense, Cooper’s success can come as an isolated second-level defender, or with a running mate. Versatile and athletic enough to serve as the lone LB inside unique packages.
As a run defender, Cooper showcases a violent downhill trigger. Always trusts his initial read. Quick feet to hop from gap to gap and the length to stack/shed opposing blockers. More consistency is warranted in that area, however. Takes outstanding pursuit angles (Alabama) and is quick to beat the opposition to the spot they want to get to. Sure tackler in space where length showcases well. Wingspan will cast a wide net to lure opposing ball-carriers in. Skillset as a blitzer and primary pass-rusher (10 sacks in 2023) is impressive, as well.
In coverage, Cooper is a constant communicator whose head remains on a swivel to locate crossers. Correct depth is consistently reached to force everything in front. Rarely beaten across his face in man principles over the middle of the field. Length and burst force quarterbacks to consistently make tight-window throws. Will not have an issue covering running backs and tight ends at the next level. He showcased his ability as a QB spy on multiple occasions, as well.”
Adding to this glowing report were Cooper’s testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.51 40-yard dash, 34-inch arm length, and 1.54 10-yard split made him one of Justin Melo’s five combine winners, Essentially, Cooper had established himself as a player who could provide tremendous downhill support against the run and as a pass rusher, while also being able to maintain his own in coverage. With all of that in mind, the true question is: how did he fall to the second round?
The Packers certainly are not complaining. Cooper may very well be playing himself into the conversation for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, although he is in jeopardy of missing this week’s pivotal contest against the San Francisco 49ers with a hamstring injury. Regardless, between him and Quay Walker, Green Bay has an ultra-talented linebacker tandem to fortify their defense around, and the results are being recognized sooner than anyone likely could have imagined. A difficult schedule awaits them as they make a postseason push, but with continued contributions from players like Cooper, it’s hard to ever bet against the Green and Yellow.
