Packers LB Ty'Ron Hopper showing 'ton of improvement' to start Year 2
"Hop's done a really nice job," coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday. "He's shown a ton of improvement really in every facet of his game, on defense, on we-fense (what the Packers call special teams). Certainly, we always knew he was going to be a physical presence, you could see that going back to his college tape. He's got a better understanding of what is required of him for that position, he's got a great understanding of our defense and he's gone out there and put together a lot of solid performances."
Hopper, a third-round pick in 2024, has played 74 preseason snaps and is the team's second-highest graded defensive player at Pro Football Focus. Through two games, Hooper has 10 total tackles, zero missed tackles and a team-high four "stops," or a tackle creating an offensive failure, and he's allowed only one catch in coverage.
Among all NFL linebackers with at least 60 snaps played this preseason, Hopper's PFF grade of 86.0 ranks third overall.
His 13 special teams snaps have included only four snaps covering punts or kicks, so the opportunities to make impact plays for the third phase have been limited.
Against the Colts, Hopper made a standout play when he beat a block at the line of scrimmage and chased down the running back for a loss.
Hopper was in on three stops against the run in the preseason opener.
The Packers have Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie locked in as the top three linebackers in Jeff Hafley's 4-3 base defense, but Hopper has made a strong case for being the No. 4 option despite the addition of veteran Isaiah Simmons, who has struggled in preseason games.
As a rookie, Hopper played only 18 snaps on defense across three games. Like most young players, he needed a development year, and he's now beginning the jump as a second-year player.
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