Edgerrin Cooper | Texas A&M 6’2” | 230 lbs 11/17/2001 (Age 22)
Edgerrin Cooper was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, becoming the first Linebacker and 45th overall player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Edgerrin Cooper began his career and stayed a four-year committed player at Texas A&M. As a true Freshman in 2020, he played in all 10 games as a reserve and on special teams. In his Sophomore season, he played in all 12 games with one start, recording 58 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 0.5 a sack. He also grabbed an INT and a PBU. 2022 was his first full season as a starter. He played in 11 games with eight starts, racking up 61 tackles, eight TFLs, an INT, five PBUs, and a forced fumble. In 2023 Cooper earned First-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-SEC honors. He started all twelve games and led his team with 84 tackles, 17 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, 2 PBUs, and tied for the team lead with 2 forced fumbles).
FILM
Cooper can be described as a “heat-seeking missile” as a linebacker. He is very fast and more athletic than most of his peers in this draft class. He can be undisciplined with technique and inconsistent in pursuit, but he always packs a punch and will never be questioned about his effort. Cooper is a classic run-and-hit LB who profiles as a weakside LB and has the athletic ability to hold his own in coverage. He has the versatility and athleticism to spy the QB and play zone coverage, though the awareness is not always consistent. With refinement, he has all the tools to become one of the top ten or twelve players at his position.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Edgerrin Cooper recorded a solid 4.51 40-yard dash with a 1.54-second 10-yard split. His marks in the vertical and broad jumps were pretty average, at 34.5” and 9’10” respectively. He opted out of the bench press, shuttle, and cone drill but performed positional drills.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Good
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Great
Cooper was selected with the 45th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Edgerrin Cooper gets drafted as the first linebacker off the board and he certainly has earned it. He goes to a Packers organization that has a clear need at the position, having just let D’Vondre Campbell walk in free agency. Quay Walker is the LB1 in Green Bay, but there is a tremendous opportunity for Cooper to seize the LB2 spot in training camp and the preseason. It is important to note, however, that he will need to beat out fellow rookie out of Missouri, Ty’Ron Hopper who was selected by the Packers 47 pickers later.
Cooper came in as your author’s rookie LB1 of the draft class but now becomes the rookie LB2. It’s a nice landing spot, since there is a starting position available for him to win, but it may not be one that renders 100% of the defensive snaps. Cooper is a talented player and could eventually push Quay Walker for the LB1 job in Green Bay in a few years, but it won’t be this year. Expect to see him drafted in the mid-to-late second round of dynasty IDP rookie drafts.
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