The Green Bay Packers defense has shown improvement this season. Through three games, the team is leading the NFL in turnovers created and appears to be getting more comfortable in Jeff Hafley’s new system.
But if there’s one position group on defense that has struggled through the first three games it’s the linebacking corps. Players like Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie are still starting but are also ranked close to the bottom of all graded linebackers in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.
In his third NFL season, Walker continues to struggle with his reads, often fills the wrong gap and has missed too many tackles. The game does not appear to be slowing down for him despite his experience playing in the league.
McDuffie is a hard-working, heady player who lacks the elite athletic ability to be a preferred starter. The former Boston College star is a useful role player as a backup linebacker and special teams player, but he gets exposed the longer he is out on the field.
The good news is, the Packers selected two linebackers on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft. In round two, GM Brian Gutekunst selected Edgerrin Cooper and in round three they added Ty’Ron Hopper.
Cooper missed significant time in training camp due to injury, but he has showed great promise. The former Texas A&M star continues to show flashes of speed and athletic ability. However, he has seen only limited playing time as he gets more comfortable in the defense.
Through three games, Cooper has been on the field for just 36 total defensive plays or 19 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. In that time, he has made nine total tackles including half a quarterback sack and one quarterback hit.
When he’s been on the field, Cooper has certainly been noticeable. After the season opener against the Eagles, head coach Matt LaFleur mentioned Cooper’s performance. “He certainly flashed and made some plays. I would anticipate him getting more time moving forward.”
Hafley also liked what he saw from Cooper, albeit in limited reps. “I saw a guy respond,” Hafley explained. “I saw Coop as a guy who was injured for almost all of training camp and, unfortunately, couldn’t play in a preseason game and he just has minimal practice reps. You’ve got a really talented young player who you’re counting on to be a really good player this season and you’ve got to play him.”
Unlike Walker, Cooper seems to read plays better and uses his speed to make plays. Against the Titans in Week 3, we saw him record his half sack. He also made a great tackle on Tennessee’s Tony Pollard which prevented the running back from making a big gain on a play that initially looked like it could gain a lot more yards than it ultimately did.
Cooper has the ability to stop the run and to blitz the quarterback. In college, he was able to do that exceptionally well. He continued to flash that ability in training camp when he was on the field. That would fit in well with the defense Hafley wants to run.
Cooper also has the speed to cover running backs out of the backfield. He may be one of the few linebackers who can potentially cover Aaron Jones when he is sent out on pass patterns Sunday at Lambeau Field.
You don’t take a player in the second round of the draft with the intention of having him on the field for just 19 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Assuming he remains healthy and continues to play well, it should just be a matter of time until Cooper assumes a bigger role in the defense. The quicker Cooper learns the defense, the more playing time he will receive.
The Packers have to hope Cooper will take on a bigger role sooner rather than later. The poor linebacking play has been the biggest weakness of the defense through three games and the schedule only gets tougher from here.
Cooper has the talent. Now he has to go out and produce on a consistent basis.
