The Green Bay Packers have two prime candidates to land on the defensive side of the 2024 NFL All-Rookie Team: linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Javon Bullard.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com picked both Cooper and Bullard for his All-Rookie Team projection entering 2024.
Cooper, the 45th overall pick, should be a Day 1 starter next to Quay Walker at linebacker. Bullard, the 58th overall pick, should be a Day 1 starter next to Xavier McKinney. Together, the rookie pair could be a vital part of Jeff Hafley’s new defense in Green Bay.
Reuter sees Cooper — one of the most disruptive linebackers in college football last season — as the ideal attacking linebacker for Hafley’s 4-3 scheme and Bullard — a big-time hitter with slot and safety versatility — as the ideal complement next to the do-it-all McKinney.
Reuter on Cooper: “Cooper comes to a perfect situation in Green Bay, where his closing speed and toughness will force offenses to account for him on every play. He and 2022 first-round pick Quay Walker will be the primary linebackers in new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme, working inside and outside depending on the formation. Cooper should put up solid numbers across the board as a rookie, picking off a pass or two, accumulating a few sacks on blitzes and finishing first or second on the team in tackles.”
Reuter on Bullard: “Bullard can make plays on the ball and secure open-field tackles whether he’s lined up deep or inside the box, which makes him a great complement to free-agent addition Xavier McKinney. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will have the flexibility to play single-high or two-deep coverage. Bullard showed a proclivity for making big plays in big games during his Georgia career. If he does the same thing this fall, it should lead to a successful Packers campaign and a spot for him on the All-Rookie Team.”
The last Packers player voted to the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team was Walker in 2022. A first-round pick, Walker produced 121 tackles, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as a 17-game rookie starter in 2022.