At the NFL season’s halfway mark, Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is emerging as a top rookie, consistently recognized on midseason All-Rookie teams.
“Obviously, he had a little bit of a setback in training camp, which always for a young player is tough when you miss that much time on the field,” general manager Brian Gutekunst remarked. “But just like he was in college, when you put him on the field, he makes dynamic plays. He’s still working through some of the details and intricacies of our defense but, when he’s out there, you feel him. He certainly brings an element of speed on that field and he’s a natural playmaker. Excited for him, where he can go. I think there’s a lot of really good football ahead of him.”
Gutekunst invested in Cooper and safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams early in the draft, all of whom have played a role in enhancing Green Bay’s defense.
Cooper, in a limited role, has accumulated 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for losses, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble. His standout performance against Jacksonville, which included eight tackles and a sack-strip, contributed significantly to the Packers’ victory.
Williams, despite missing time due to a hamstring injury, has posted 27 tackles, three passes defensed, and one forced fumble, while Bullard, with 47 tackles, has displayed versatility playing both safety and nickel. Among rookie defenders, only Giants safety Tyler Nubin has more tackles.
For his midseason all-rookie team, Dane Brugler of The Athletic named Cooper and Williams, noting that Cooper’s “diverse production is an accurate reflection of the ways he can impact the game.” Brugler recently highlighted Williams’ growing consistency, observing, “The more Packers tape I watched, the more evident it was that Williams has been the more consistent and impactful Green Bay safety.”
Greg Auman at Fox Sports chose Cooper and Bullard for his all-rookie lineup, writing, “There’s a bunch of rookies to consider [at safety], and you’re torn between splash plays like the Rams have gotten from (Jaylen) McCollough and overall impact without takeaways. Bullard has been all over the back end for Green Bay, on pace for 96 tackles.”
The Ringer’s Diante Lee picked Cooper, alongside the Steelers’ Payton Wilson. Lee noted, “You can still see the direct connection between their unrefined feel for the pro game and their lack of production as run defenders… Cooper has had similar challenges in Green Bay, but I’d argue that the Packers have been able to work around some of his limitations by lining him up on the edge or sending him as a blitzer.”
James Foster of The 33rd Team also included Cooper and Williams, citing Cooper’s “rare closing burst” and his game-changing pass breakup against the Jaguars. Regarding Williams, he remarked, “Williams played more than 2800 snaps in college, and his experience has led him to early success in a hybrid role. He can shed blocks and fit the run from the box, play man coverage on receivers and tight ends, or defend shot plays as a single-high safety.”
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso selected three Packers – Cooper, Williams, and first-round pick Jordan Morgan. Trapasso acknowledged Morgan’s start, saying, “You don’t always have to play spectacularly to make this team, just don’t be a liability – especially up front – and that’s how I’d characterize the start for Morgan with the Packers.” He also praised Williams’ versatility, referring to him as a “Swiss Army Knife” who, alongside Xavier McKinney, forms “arguably” the NFL’s top safety duo.
