Packers' Quay Walker: Rookie Edgerrin Cooper has been 'showing flashes,' 'flying around'

Packers rookies are just under two weeks away from reporting to training camp, but second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper already made a strong impression during the earlier portions of the offseason program.

Selected No. 45 overall as the first off-ball linebacker taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper potentially brings a crucial element of speed and smarts to Green Bay’s linebacking corps, something evidenced by his work during minicamp in June catching the eye of teammate Quay Walker.

“He’s showing flashes, getting downhill, playing, flying around,” Walker said of Cooper, via the team’s website. “I just tell him, ‘Don’t do no thinking, bro. Just fly around. If you mess up, it is what it is. You a rookie. Just take what you can learn … and go from there.'”

It’s hardly surprising that Cooper has been portrayed as flying around in drills. He recorded one of the third-fastest 40-yard dash times (4.51) among linebackers at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, equaling the best 10-yard split of 1.54 to start the dash in his position.

Should he manage to secure a starting position as a rookie, he and Walker, a third-year LB with a 4.52 40-yard dash speed similar to his, could become the new power pair in the center of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme.

Walker may have over-emphasized his “no thinking” approach during his rookie year, as evidenced by his two ejections in the 2022 season. However, he has matured into a leader for the Packers since then. He also correctly advises Cooper to trust his instincts, which brought him to this point, once he becomes more comfortable with the NFL game.

The rookie and his coach Matt LaFleur have already noted that this process appears to be happening.

“During the minicamp in June, I felt a significant change in my mindset, particularly in the last week or week and a half. I’ve been able to relax mentally,” Cooper shared. “I’m starting to get the hang of it. At this point, it’s just about playing ball. It’s refreshing not to overthink and just go with the flow.”

As per the Packers’ website, LaFleur intentionally called a deceptive play during the final minicamp practice, aiming to mislead Cooper. However, Cooper correctly interpreted and responded to it.

“LaFleur said, ‘I was confident we were about to catch him out (on it), and he performed excellently. I jokingly asked the other coaches, ‘Did you prepare him for that play?’ They hadn’t.”

“So, it’s a testament to his engagement and focus throughout the offseason.”

The ability to perceive and respond appropriately to deception is crucial in the period leading up to a rookie year. This skill indicates that Cooper is mentally prepared to start strong in camp, although he still has months to wait before he can demonstrate his abilities in a regular-season game.

Getting there and thriving, whether it’s from the starting lineup or initially in rotation behind others like Eric Wilson or Isaiah McDuffie, will take building on his evidently sturdy foundation in the many weeks worth of practices ahead.

The Packers are relying on this as they aim to construct a defense that aligns output with their high-level talent, something they haven’t achieved in several years.