Packers Rookie Turning Heads With Performance in Offseason

People are very excited to see the 2024 Green Bay Packers rookie class in action. General manager Brian Gutekunst addressed several of the team’s weaknesses during the 2024 NFL Draft.

One of those weaknesses was the linebacker position. Changing to a 4-3 base under Jeff Hafley after years of being a 3-4 defense led to some personnel adjustments.

The team needed more linebackers, as their edge rushers are now defensive ends. Veteran De’Vondre Campbell was also released earlier this offseason, creating a sizable void in the lineup.

Looking to fill that void, the Packers used their first of two second-round picks on Texas A&M linebacker, Edgerrin Cooper. At No. 45, he was the first linebacker selected this year.

With teams around the league de-valuing the position, the Packers were able to fill a need while finding value. Cooper, based on many analysts’ boards, was the No. 1 linebacker in this draft class.

Heading into training camp, Cooper has the inside track to a starting spot alongside Quay Walker. It is more than his draft pedigree that has earned him that, as head coach Matt LaFleur has been impressed with his performance this offseason.

“I thought for sure we were going to get him on [it], and he did a heck of a job,” LaFleur said, via Mike Spofford of the team website. “I was kind of teasing the other coaches, ‘Did you preview him for that play?’ And they did not. So, that’s a credit to him and just how engaged he’s been and how locked in he’s been throughout the course of the offseason.”

Walker is locked into an every-down role, but the second spot next to him is up for grabs. Cooper will be competing for that spot along with Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson and fellow rookie Ty’Ron Hopper.

While the Packers’ base defense will have three linebackers, the plan is to have only two in nickel packages. Cooper has the athleticism and skill set to be that second linebacker.

“He’s showing flashes, getting downhill, playing, flying around,” Walker said of Cooper. “I just tell him, ‘Don’t do no thinking, bro. Just fly around. If you mess up, it is what it is. You a rookie. Just take what you can learn . . . and go from there.’”

It will be interesting to see how things play out in training camp. The Packers are very youthful and inexperienced at the second line of defense. If they look to make a veteran addition, it could come at linebacker.

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