Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is becoming widely viewed as one of the NFL’s best young players at his position. NFL.com’s Nick Shook picked Cooper — who is coming off an All-Rookie Team first season in the NFL — as one of two off-ball linebackers on his “All-Under-25 Team” entering the 2025 season.
The only eligibility requirements: the player had to be under 25 years old on Sept. 4, when the 2025 NFL season kicks off. Cooper is still only 23 years old and doesn’t turn 24 until November.
Cooper was the only Packers player to make the list. Shook said Cooper showcased “rocket-like speed” during a dazzling rookie season in which he produced 13 tackles for loss and earned the fifth-highest grade among linebackers at Pro Football Focus.
Cooper and Philadelphia’s Nakobe Dean were the two linebackers on the team.
Despite playing only 489 snaps as a rookie, Cooper still packed the stat sheet, producing 11 pressures, 35 stops, one forced fumble, one interception and two other pass breakups. He finished second among all off-ball linebackers in tackles for loss, and he added 3.5 sacks.
Entering 2025, Cooper is expected to be a full-time player in Jeff Hafley’s defense, giving him almost unlimited production potential as a second-year player. With a terrific blend of size, athleticism and playmaking instincts combined with Hafley’s willingness to use second-level defenders in a variety of attacking ways, Cooper has a real chance to emerge as one of the NFL’s top linebackers for now and into the future.
The Detroit Lions continue to dominate All-25 lists. Shook included running back Jahmyr Gibbs, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, safety Kerby Joseph and defensive back Brian Branch on his list. Incredibly, Gibbs and Branch are only 23 and will be eligible to make the list again next year.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper lands on All-Under 25 team entering 2025
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
