A pair of draft picks made by Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst during the 2024 NFL draft have made the All-Rookie Team as voted on by the Pro Football Writers Association.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, a second-round pick, and safety Evan Williams, a fourth-round pick, were both selected at their respective positions.
Both dealt with injuries as rookies but both consistently made impactful plays for Jeff Hafley’s Packers defense.
Over 14 games, Cooper produced 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 8 (at Jaguars) and Week 15 (at Seahawks) and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for December/January. At PFF, Cooper was the highest-graded off-ball linebacker among rookies and the second-highest graded rookie overall.
Over 13 games, Williams produced 49 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and three pass breakups. He intercepted a Hail Mary to clinch a win against the Colts, had the key fourth-down pass breakup to preserve a win in Los Angeles and forced a fumble against the Cardinals. At PFF, Williams was the highest-graded safety among rookies with at least 500 snaps played.
Cooper is the first Packers linebacker to make the All-Rookie team since Quay Walker in 2022. Williams is the first Packers safety to make the All-Rookie team since Darnell Savage in 2019.
Walker in 2022 was the last Packer overall to make the All-Rookie Team.
Williams is the first Packers rookie picked outside the first round to make the All-Rookie Team since Casey Hayward in 2012.
