Packers immediately found two building blocks in 2024 that can do even bigger and better things in 2025

cbarto66 | 01/27/2025

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By AtoZ SPORTS

WENDELL FERREIRA

Packers immediately found two building blocks in 2024 that can do even bigger and better things in 2025

A prevailing perception about the Green Bay Packers‘ roster-building process is how they prefer to take raw, athletic players. These draftees could have a high ceiling, but it takes a lot of time to get them in position to succeed—a time that the current version of the NFL doesn’t offer.

Well, pundits and fans can’t complain about the 2024 class. Two players have immediate impact, and they still have room to grow moving forward.

We are starting our Rookie Report Card series, and it would be impossible to start it anywhere else. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Evan Williams had a huge season in 2024, and the outlook for the future is even more promising.

Both made the All-Rookie Team, and it’s the first time two Packers defenders did it at the same time since Clay Matthews and BJ Raji in 2009. The main difference is that the Packers found Cooper in the second round, and Williams in the fourth.

Edgerrin Cooper

The Packers took Cooper in the second round to add athleticism (again) to the LB room. Early returns indicate that he is a different animal, though, and that the outcome will be much better than what they had with 2022 first-round pick Quay Walker.

Cooper is a smart player, with solid coverage skills—good enough for him not to be picked apart by opposing offenses. He’s also a positive run defender, attacking gaps with precision.

However, Cooper’s ability to create pressure as a blitzer is what separated him from everyone else on the roster. He finished his rookie season with an elite 90.1 pass rush grade by PFF, 11 total pressures in only 51 pass rush snaps.

“As long as he continues to work, which I know he will,” head coach Matt LaFleur said about Cooper’s potential. “It was a huge learning curve coming from Texas A&M to here. And you saw, the more he played, the better he got, and the more consistent he got. It’s going to be a great offseason for him. I think he’s planning on staying in town. Hopefully we can get him bigger, faster and stronger.”

Initially, Cooper was a backup. Injuries and the learning curve mentioned by LaFleur put him after Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, and Eric Wilson on the depth chart. He played more and more snaps throughout the season, though, and by the end of the year it was impossible to keep him off the field.

Overall, he played 45% of the defensive snaps and 19% of the special teams snaps. Cooper had 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.

With Jaire Alexander possibly out and with Rashan Gary having a step back in 2024, plus considering age and contract, it’s easy to say that Edgerrin Cooper has the potential to become the most valuable player on the defense.

Evan Williams

When the Packers played the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil in Week 1, Evan Williams simply did not play defensive snaps. Xavier McKinney and second-round rookie Javon Bullard were the options.

Throughout the season, though, Williams had his opportunities and showed what he was capable of. There were some questions about where the Packers took him in the draft, but he answered them in a definitive manner.

Bullard was moved to the slot, and Williams became a full-time starter at safety alongside McKinney.

Despite a late-season injury, he played 43% of the defensive snaps and 26% of the special teams snaps.

Even though Williams was ok as a run defender, his best trait is coverage and how much field he can cover. The safety allowed a 69.7 passer rating when targeted, which included an interception and three passes defended. He also had a forced fumble.

The Green Bay Packers needed an influx of talent on the defensive side of the ball. They got it with Cooper and Williams, and it’s just the beginning of what they can do for them.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly