The so-called NFL Draft experts weren’t overly complementary with what Brian Gutekunst did in this year’s NFL Draft. They weren’t brutal by any means like they were with the Atlanta Falcons. But they weren’t dripping with excitement either. It’s an opinion we don’t share. Gutekunt and the Green Bay Packers selected solid prospects that filled holes. One player stands out among the group though. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper can stand out in the 2024 Green Bay Packers draft class.
Edgerrin Cooper Poised to be the Face of the 2024 Green Bay Packers Draft Class
If a rookie is going to stand out among his fellow rookies, he is going to have to play a position of need. That was the case in 2023. Since taking over as the Packers head coach, Matt LaFleur hadn’t had the luxury of working with a young explosive slot wide receiver. But that all changed when Gutekunst selected wide receiver Jayden Reed.
Reed, similar to Edgerrin Cooper, was selected in the second round. The Michigan State product put up some big numbers playing in the Big Ten. But what he did for LaFleur and the Packers offense blew past what was expected out of the young pass catcher. He hauled in 64 passes for 793 yards with eight touchdown receptions. Not only did he become a favorite target of Jordan Love, but he became arguably the Packers best pass-catching threat.
Gutekunst and LaFleur are hoping that this year’s second-round draft pick, Edgerrin Cooper, can duplicate the same success Reed had. There is a need at the position and Cooper has the talent to fill it.
What Cooper Brings to the Table
Big Ten fans might not like reading this. But arguably, the SEC is the most talented football conference in the nation. Teams like Georgia and Alabama make the argument even more valid. So, for how successful Edgerrin Cooper was at Texas A&M, an SEC team, it says a lot.
In his four years playing for the Aggies, Cooper played in 37 games. He was a stellar defender in his first three seasons, but he saved his best for his last season. In 2023, Cooper chalked up 84 tackles, with 17 of them being for a loss. He also proved that he was a very capable pass rusher with registering eight sacks. Cooper also forced two fumbles while recovering one of them.
Inside linebackers aren’t as highly valued as they once were. But Cooper’s attributes and what he did at Texas A&M had some NFL Draft experts believe he might sneak into this year’s first round. So when he was available for the Packers in the second round, it didn’t take long for Gutekunst to decide Cooper was his man. His ability as a three-down linebacker should fit well into Jeff Hafley’s defense.
Shift to 4-3 Defense
This off-season, LaFleur decided to make some major changes to the Green Bay Packers defense. LaFleur finally parted ways with much-criticized defensive coordinator Joe Barry. He surprised many by hiring former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as the Packers defensive coordinator.
Not only will the Packers defense have a new coordinator, but it will also have a new scheme. Gone is the 3-4, which had been in place since Dom Capers was the defensive coordinator, and replaced by a 4-3 scheme. The 4-3 defensive scheme requires inside linebackers who are athletic and can run.
Quay Walker, a former first-round pick, will be the key to the new scheme. In his first two seasons, Walker has been very productive. Last season, Walker registered 118 combined tackles, 59 of them solo tackles and seven of them for loss. He also had two and a half sacks. Expect under Hafley and new linebackers coach Anthony Campanile to try to get more out of Walker as a pass rusher. His ability to rush the passer is untapped.
Third-year linebacker Isaiah McDuffie should be a major benefactor in Hafley’s new 4-3 scheme. Last season, McDuffie became a frequent face on the Packers defense. He registered 86 combined tackles, 30 of them solo, and five of them for a loss. McDuffie is a lunch pail type of linebacker, he isn’t going to make flashy plays, but he will get the job done.
Walker and McDuffie are expected to hold down two of the inside linebacker spots. The other spot has Edgerrin Cooper’s name written all over it. McDuffie will be the grinder with Walker and Cooper being the stars of the linebacker group. Cooper and Walker have the speed to be two of the fastest linebacker combinations in the NFL.
Who Will be the Middle Linebacker?
Since selecting Cooper, many have wondered who will man the middle linebacker position. It would make sense to play Walker there since he has the size and the speed to man the middle. But early indications point to Hafley not utilizing Walker in that spot. It could be that he feels Walker would be better used at the “Will” or “Sam” spots, utilizing Walker’s pass rush ability.
McDuffie doesn’t have the size to man the middle, which rules him out. While Cooper is bigger, 6’2″ and 229 pounds, he would still be one of the smaller middle linebackers in the NFL. But while he doesn’t have a prototype size for the middle, he does have the athletic ability to play the position.
No matter where Hafley plays Cooper, we expect a very productive rookie season from him. His addition to the position makes the Packers linebackers group a lot better and a lot faster. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cooper earn a spot on the NFL’s All-Rookie team, he’s that good.
Main Photo Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
