The Green Bay Packers shocked their fanbase by taking Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan with the 25th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They then caused their fans further distress by allowing Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean to be picked by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 40th overall pick on Friday night. While DeJean was taken a pick before the Packers went on the clock, many fans wanted the team to trade up to get him.
Instead, Green Bay decided to trade back with the New Orleans Saints getting the 41st overall pick. In return, the Packers received the 45th overall pick as well as picks 168 and 190. They then used that 45th pick (a second round selection) on Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
Green Bay Packers Linebacker Quay Walker Responds to Team Selecting Edgerrin Cooper in the 2024 NFL Draft
Going into the draft, linebacker was an underrated need of the Packers. Former All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was released for salary cap purposes and signed with the San Francisco 49ers. This left Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie as the only linebackers who played regular snaps on defense.
With new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley switching the team’s scheme from a 3-4 to a 4-3, Green Bay was in need of some depth at the linebacker position. They got that with the Cooper pick, and his new teammate, Quay Walker, seemed thrilled with the pick.
Walker posted on X (formerly Twitter):
Got my partner in crime!
#PutCheeseOnEverything 🧀🧀🧀🧀 https://t.co/IccAFPsxqZ— 7 (@QuayWalker_) April 27, 2024
Both Walker and Cooper are fast players that will make it difficult for opposing offenses to set an edge on the Packers’ defense. With McDuffie presumably playing middle linebacker, the two will be seen flying from sideline to sideline regularly next season.
The Scouting Report on Green Bay Packers Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper
The scouting report on Cooper written by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com reads in part:
“Highly physical linebacker with elite top-end speed and a burning desire to get to the football that can lead to some inconsistencies in his play. Cooper is average at diagnosing the run but takes off around traffic on a mission to find the ball-carrier once he sees it.
“He can be undisciplined playing his run fits and takes unorthodox paths downhill, but he somehow finds ways to slither around blocks and make challenging tackles. Cooper is a punishing hitter/tackler from any spot on the field, but he’s going to overshoot the mark from time to time due to his lack of control in pursuit.
“He’s a capable quarterback spy, can blitz the pocket and will be an instant hit on special teams, but teams will need to balance the inconsistencies with the passionate run-and-hit mentality.”
Zierlein compares Cooper to Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, who finished both of the last two seasons (his first two in the NFL) with no fewer than 115 total tackles.
He also states that Cooper can be undisciplined at times, something that has been a weakness of Walker’s as well. Hafley will be tasked with helping both young linebackers become more consistent, especially on run defense.
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