An impressive season opener for Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is likely to lead to more snaps on defense moving forward.
Cooper flashed playmaking ability over 11 snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. The second-round pick produced three solo tackles, including a run stop on Saquon Barkley, and a batted pass.
Expect more snaps for Cooper, starting Sunday against Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts.
“He certainly flashed and made some plays. I would anticipate him getting more time moving forward,” LaFleur said Monday, per Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com.
Cooper might already be a full-time player had he not suffered a hip injury during training camp and missed all three preseason games.
Per grades at Pro Football Focus, Cooper was the Packers’ highest rated defensive player vs. the Eagles. He helped make a stop on Jalen Hurts, created an impressive solo takedown of Barkley and prevented a potential big play when he batted down a pass on a blitz. Cooper also had a solo tackle when he sped down the field, beat a block and made the stop covering a kickoff in the first half. On one coverage snap, Cooper recovered a misstep and covered the tight end, helping force a throwaway. Later, he covered up Barkley out of the backfield and stuck with him in the scramble drill.
The Packers relied on Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie as the every-down linebackers in Week 1. Walker was on the field for every snap, while McDuffie played 97 percent of the defense’s snaps. Cooper split time with veteran Eric Wilson, who played 15 snaps. It’s possible Cooper could eat up even more of Wilson’s playing time moving forward, and McDuffie’s role as an every down player could be in jeopardy if Cooper continues to flash.
The Packers made Cooper the 45th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He was the highest-graded off-ball linebacker in college football at PFF last season.