Former NFL executive sees All-Pro potential in Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper
Former NFL executive sees All-Pro potential in Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper
Former NFL personnel executive Marc Ross believes Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has All-Pro potential as he enters a highly anticipated second season in 2025.
Ross, who worked for both the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in personnel and scouting and now contributes for NFL Network and NFL.com, picked Cooper among his "guaranteed risers" who will produce more in 2025 than in 2024.
From Ross: "Despite being banged up in training camp and missing three games during his rookie season, it was easy to see why Cooper was my favorite player coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft. He collected 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, an interception and 77 tackles while playing just 45 percent of the team's defensive snaps last season. He was an absolute menace, and that was before adding about 10 pounds of muscle this offseason. Think of what Cooper -- who looks as explosive as ever, per head coach Matt LaFleur -- can do in a full-time role for Jeff Hafley's unit. He has the ability to become an All-Pro player and should take the defense to the next level in his second season if he can stay healthy."
Cooper has all the ingredients necessary for a legitimate breakout season in 2025. He proved he could produce and showcased elite playmaking ability as a rookie, and he's combining his obvious talent with physical and mental development as a second-year professional player. Mix all that in a bowl with increased opportunity -- Cooper played under 500 snaps as a rookie -- and the final product could be something special.
Adding extra weight could help Cooper better withstand the tough work involved with playing off-ball linebacker across 17 games during an NFL season. As a rookie, Cooper was a situational player early and later missed time with an ankle injury. Along the way, he was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in both Week 8 (at Jacksonville Jaguars -- 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup over 34 snaps) and Week 15 (at Seattle Seahawks -- 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 QB hits, 1 pass breakup over 34 snaps) and ended up on the PFWA's All-Rookie Team.
After returning from an ankle injury in December, Cooper produced 35 tackles and an NFL-high 8.0 tackles for loss over the season's final four games while playing over 80 percent of the defense's snaps -- possibly providing a glimpse of what Cooper can do as a full-time player for Jeff Hafley in 2025.
Cooper actually received an All-Pro vote last year after finishing second among off-ball linebackers in tackles for loss. He could get many more in 2025 if he continues ascending as a playmaker and stays on the field as a second-year player.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
22 minutes ago
- USA Today
Notre Dame visited by the sons of three former NFL players
Notre Dame visited by the sons of three former NFL players Fighting Irish could be home to Devin Fitzgerald, Kaydon Finley. Thomas Davis Jr. has already committed However your Father's Day weekend went, it probably looked different than what took place on the Notre Dame campus. The sons of three former NFL players were in South Bend visiting with the Fighting Irish. Wide receivers Devin Fitzgerald and Kaydon Finley joined Notre Dame commit Thomas Davis Jr. on campus. Fitzgerald and Finley are four-star recruits. Devin, of course, is the son of Larry Fitzgerald, who played for the Arizona Cardinals for 17 seasons. Finley is the son of Jermichael Finley, a tight end who played six years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. The senior Davis played 15 seasons over 16 years in the NFL -- he missed the 2010 campaign due to injury. He was with the Carolina Panthers for most of that time, but he also played with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Football Team (now Washington Commanders). Perhaps Davis Jr. can convince Devin Fitzgerald and Kaydon Finley to join him in South Bend. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
Axios
35 minutes ago
- Axios
Cam Ward docuseries traces underdog journey to the Tennessee Titans
A new docuseries coming later this year will trace Cam Ward's underdog journey from an overlooked high school player to the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Why it matters: The Tennessee Titans tapped Ward in hopes that his talent and upside as an NFL quarterback could turn around a battered and bruised franchise. The series, which will premiere on Tubi in September, offers the perfect narrative for fans to rally around. Zoom in:"Being overlooked — in my shoes, it was a blessing and a curse," Ward said in a statement. "I overcame the curse by turning adversity into strength and I have played with nothing to lose, which is a blessing. "It means you bring it all and leave it all out there on the field and in life." State of play: The six-episode series "Zero Star: The Cam Ward Story" will include new behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Ward and his family. What they're saying:"From the very beginning, when no one else saw Cam's potential, we believed in him," Cam's father Calvin Ward said.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Has No Words for Historic CWS Feat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of the best players in the NFL. He is also going to go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. While he has made his name from playing football, Mahomes is a big-time fan of other sports. He is always seen attending other sporting events or commenting on them. That was the case once again on Monday as he watched the College World Series. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the press conference interviews after the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on May... Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the press conference interviews after the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on May 29, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. More Photo byDuring the matchup between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Murray State Racers, Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood put up a historic performance. Read more: NFL World Reacts to Stunning New Take on Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Throughout the course of the game, he recorded 19 strikeouts and a no-hitter. He now holds the record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game and recorded the third no-hitter in men's College World Series history. In response to the impressive performance, Mahomes took to social media to share a response. His response didn't even include words. When Mahomes speaks, people listen and take notice. Even in something as small as a reaction to a moment in a game, his words matter. Mahomes is in the middle of gearing up for the 2025 NFL season. After the Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl and lost last year to the Philadelphia Eagles, they're looking to get back to winning rings. They have extra motivation following the blowout loss to the Eagles. On the outside looking in, Kansas City looks like a top-tier contender. Mahomes has a lot of weapons to work with and Travis Kelce decided to come back for another season despite rumors about his potential retirement. Last season, Mahomes completed 67.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also ran for 307 yards and two more scores. Read more: Ravens' Lamar Jackson Called Out by Former NFL Player in Blunt Message Those weren't bad numbers, but they weren't what fans have come to know and expect from the superstar quarterback. They also weren't where Mahomes would have wanted them to be, especially with the season ending in a Super Bowl loss. It's clear that Mahomes is enjoying what's left of his offseason and the College World Series, but football will soon take center stage. Hopefully for Mahomes and the Chiefs, another run to the Super Bowl will be in store in 2025 and will end in a different result from last season. For more Kansas City Chiefs and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
