Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Evan Williams were both named to Dane Brugler’s midseason All-Rookie Team for The Athletic.
Cooper, a second-round pick out of Texas A&M, and Williams, a fourth-round pick out of Oregon, were both the top players selected at their respective positions.
Among rookie linebackers, Cooper ranks second in “stops” and first in pressures and sacks. Among rookie safeties, Williams ranks first in PFF grade — and by a wide margin. Williams is also fourth in PFF grade among all safeties.
Both have been playmakers. Cooper has 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble (leading to a touchdown), a fumble recovery (leading to a touchdown) and five tackles for loss. Williams intercepted a Hail Mary, broke up a fourth-down pass against Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter, forced a fumble and stuffed a two-point conversion.
Brugler on Cooper: “Despite coming off the bench as a rotational player, Cooper has found ways to make his mark, both on defense and special teams. His diverse production is an accurate reflection of the ways he can impact the game. He leads all rookie linebackers with 44 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks and a pair of pass breakups.”
Brugler on Williams: “A few weeks ago, I expected this spot to go to Javon Bullard. But the more Packers tape I watched, the more evident it was that Williams has been the more consistent and impactful Green Bay safety. He missed last week’s game against Detroit, and his absence was obvious.”
Before his hamstring injury, Williams had established himself as a full-time player next to Xavier McKinney at safety — with second-round pick Javon Bullard spending more time in the slot. His reliability in coverage and against the run — with game-changing plays mixed in — is too good to keep off the field. Cooper still isn’t a full-timer, but he’s played at least 60 percent of the defense’s snaps in four straight games. Brugler believes Cooper has the talent to become the Packers’ best linebacker by the end of the season — but he might already be there.
