The Green Bay Packers might have hit a jackpot in the 2024 NFL Draft when they picked linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in the second round.
Cooper wasted no time making his presence felt during his rookie season, playing in 15 games and racking up an impressive 85.7 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). That score ranked him fifth among all qualified NFL linebackers — which isn’t just good for a rookie, it’s downright elite.
His combination of athleticism, sideline-to-sideline speed, and sharp instincts has injected some much-needed energy into the middle of the Packers’ defense. He’s quickly become a player offenses have to plan around and a key building block for the team’s defensive rebuild under coordinator Jeff Hafley.
LB Depth Issues Have Held Packers Back, As A Team
But while Cooper’s breakout has been exciting, it wasn’t enough to pull the Packers defense out of its struggles last year. Green Bay finished the 2024 season ranked 22nd overall in total defense, according to PFF — a modest defensive ranking that reflects a year full of ups and downs.
As Cooper rises, though, it’s clear there’s still a big question mark hanging over the rest of the linebacker group. Quay Walker, the Packers’ 2022 first-round pick, was supposed to be the rock of the linebacker corps. He’s got the size, speed, and range to dominate, but inconsistency has held him back.
His career PFF grade of 54.5 tells the story — far below what the Packers hoped for when they picked him 22nd overall. Walker flashes moments of brilliance but often struggles with reading plays, shedding blocks, and finishing tackles consistently.
Still A Work In Progress
Isaiah McDuffie, another linebacker rotating in and out of the lineup, hasn’t done much to ease concerns. His 55.4 PFF grade suggests he’s fine as depth, but he hasn’t proven he can step up into a full-time role or really boost the defense when needed.
In an attempt to shore things up, the Packers brought in veteran Isaiah Simmons. Simmons, once a top-10 pick by the Arizona Cardinals, offers versatility and athleticism. But he’s bounced between positions over his career, which points to a lack of a clear role.
While he has the physical tools, Simmons is still very much a work in progress. His inability to consistently turn his potential into production leaves Green Bay with more questions than answers at linebacker.
That’s the core of the problem. Cooper is a bright spot, a potential All-Pro difference-maker, but one player can’t carry an entire position group — especially not in today’s NFL where linebackers have to be sharp in coverage, run defense, and space.
If the Packers want to move their defense forward in 2025, they need more than just Cooper stepping up. Quay Walker has to find the consistency his first-round status demands, McDuffie or Simmons must prove they can be reliable contributors, and the team needs depth that can survive injuries without falling apart.
Until those pieces fall into place, the Packers defense will remain a unit full of potential but also full of question marks. Cooper’s rise is definitely a reason for hope, but the linebacker group around him is still taking shape.
Packers Defense Earns Modest Ranking In Weak Area From 2024