GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two members of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Evan Williams, have been named to the position of Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team Monday.
The PFWA team is considered the official rookie team.
A second-round pick, Cooper could be the big linebacker the Packers have been looking for for years.
Cooper has had a sensational season. He was a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week and NFL Defensive Player of the Month in December.
Cooper was sixth on defense with 77 tackles and led the team with 10 special teams tackles. He led the team with 13 tackles for loss and added 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four passes defensed.
Cooper, Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher and DeMeco Ryans are the only rookie linebackers without the ball since at least 1999 with at least 80 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 TFLs and four passes defensed, according to Stathead.
Cooper’s 13 TFLs were the most by a rookie linebacker since the Buccaneers’ Lavonte David had 20 in 2012. Cooper led all rookies, regardless of position, in TFLs. The Rams’ Jared Verse, who had 4.5 sacks as the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year, was second with 11 tackles for loss.
Sometimes Cooper dominated. He led the NFL with eight tackles for loss over the last four games.
Cooper was the only NFL rookie this season with at least three sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He was the first rookie linebacker to reach those marks in a season since the Ravens’ Patrick Queen in 2020.
He was the first player – rookie or veteran – since 2000 to have more than 12 tackles for losses on defense and more than 10 tackles on special teams.
All of this happened while playing 45.1 percent of the defensive snaps.
“For me, it’s about consistency,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “He is incredibly gifted, incredibly talented and everyone can see the sensational plays he makes. It’s possible, can you do all the routine parts when they are there? And it’s not that he hasn’t done it, but I just think there’s a level [he hasn’t reached] – and it’s to be expected that most young players will make mistakes.
“He’s learning a lot of football, and just getting acclimated to the National Football League isn’t like a process that happens overnight. Obviously, he missed a lot of time not only during preseason, but he missed some time this season I just think the more he plays, the more he’ll get better and the more big plays he’ll be able to make.
Williams was the eighth safety drafted – teammate Javon Bullard was second off the board – but earned All-Rookie honors.
A limited role early in the season and injuries late in the season limited him to 43.5 percent of snaps. He finished the season with 47 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and three passes defensed.
During the regular season, the Packers were 10-0 when he made at least one tackle. His late pass helped clinch a win against the Rams on October 6.
“I look back on old movies all the time and think, ‘Wow, that was me’” Williams said before the playoff game. “It’s kind of funny to look back and see some of the mistakes you make or the movie as a whole and see how far you’ve come in the overall picture.
“I’ve had quite a few injuries, so there are times when I look back and I’m like, ‘Oh, wow, I was really healthy there, I was flying, I felt good. ‘ But at the same time, I don’t really have time to think about the past or the time when I played with my hair on fire and didn’t think about anything.
The Packers finished the season ranked fifth in total defense and sixth in points allowed.
With Cooper, Williams, Bullard and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley back together for the second year, big things could lie ahead.
“I’m not going to lie: We’re going to be dangerous,” Bullard said at the end of the season. “We are going to be dangerous. And I’m not just saying that. We’re going to be a special group. And that our class, the veterans that we still have, I have a lot of confidence in us and what we’re going to bring to the table.
“We’re going to continue to learn about each other, love each other, challenge each other, compete with each other and try to get better every day. And that’s why I feel like we’re going to come together and build this camaraderie and be a special group.
Defense of PFWA recruits
Defensive line: Jonah Elliss, Denver Broncos; Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams; Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts; T’Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans
Linebacker: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers; Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins; Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Cornerback: Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles; Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
Safety: Calen Bullock, Houston Texans; Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers
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