The Green Bay Packers unveiled a brand new scheme on defense in 2024 under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Ever since the days of Dom Capers, the Packers had used a 3-4 defensive front to varying degrees of success. However, when Joe Barry was fired following the 2023 season, Hafley was hired to make the defense more dangerous and efficient, changing the scheme to a more tradition 4-3.
This change meant that the Packers were suddenly in need of more traditional linebackers. Due to this, they selected Edgerrin Cooper out of Texas A&M in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
And what a find he was!
Green Bay Packers Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper Impressed in 2024
Cooper played just 55% of the defensive snaps in the 14 games that he was active last season. He did miss some time in the middle of the season due to an ankle injury, and may have had more consideration for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award had he not gotten hurt.
In those 14 games, Cooper amassed 87 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
What is impressive about these stats is that he did not start to see regular playing time until later in the season. In Weeks One and Two, Cooper played 14.5% and 12.5% of defensive snaps respectively. His playing time increased in Weeks Three through Five as he played more than 30% of the snaps in each game.
Then, it increased again in Weeks Six through Ten as he played anywhere between 60-70% of the defensive snaps in each game. After missing three weeks with his sprained ankle, Cooper played 57% of snaps in Week 16, but over 90% of snaps in the final two games of the season.
And so, in limited playing time, Cooper emerged as one of the most exciting and productive players on defense. Imagine what he will be able to do with more snaps.
NFL Analyst Bucky Brooks Included Green Bay Packers Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper on His All-Breakout Team
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks certainly thinks that Cooper is going to be special this season if/when he gets more playing time in Hafley’s defense. In his article outlining his 2025 All-Breakout Team, he said of the young Packers star:
“There is always a place in the league for linebackers who specialize in the “hit, run and cover” aspects of the game. Cooper is a rare find as a downhill ‘backer with the speed, quickness and agility to match tight ends and running backs in space, while possessing the power, pop and wiggle to wreak havoc on blitzes.
“Despite logging just four starts in 14 total games last season, Cooper stuffed the stat sheet with 87 tackles (13 for loss), 3.5 sacks and four turnover plays (one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries), earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. The second-year pro could be in line for more accolades as a designated playmaker in Jeff Hafley’s “see ball, get ball” defense.”
What is more, Cooper added over 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason and has not lost a step of his incredible burst of speed.
He could be one of the best linebackers in the NFL this season.
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