This is the next in a series of articles providing an in-depth analysis of each position group on the Green Bay Packers for 2024. Today we will analyze the linebackers. The grades will be for each unit as a whole, but we will give an analysis of each player, their strengths, and weaknesses and where they stand heading into the offseason. Here are the grades for the Packers linebackers in 2024. The marks are based on a combination of expectations and performance.

You can see our final grade for the quarterbacks here, for the defensive tackles here, and the running backs here.

Final Grades for the 2024 Packers Linebackers: The Starters

Quay Walker led the team in tackles again in 2024 despite missing four games. He made 102 total tackles including five tackles for loss. He also recorded 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Walker played his best football late in the season. He has good speed but for most of the season, too many of his tackles came downfield after a decent gain. The Packers hope his late-season improvement is a sign of things to come.

Isaiah McDuffie started all 17 games for the Pack and finished second on the team with 97 total tackles. He also broke up three passes, forced a fumble and recorded half a sack. Three of his tackles were tackles for loss.

The former Boston College star lacks elite athletic ability, but he’s smart and gives all out effort. He is stronger defending the run than he is dropping back in coverage against the pass.
McDuffie will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. It remains to be seen if the Packers re-sign him or if he goes elsewhere.

Primary Backup Linebackers

Edgerrin Cooper gave the Packers a boost at the linebacker position in the second half of the season when he finally started to see the field more often. The Texas A&M alum made his share of rookie mistakes, but he also proved to be a playmaker who could have a big impact on a game.

Cooper has great speed and burst which he can use to rush the quarterback, penetrate the line of scrimmage to stop running plays and cover backs or tight ends on passing plays.

He finished his rookie season with one interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He also recorded 3.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits. He led the team with 13 tackles for loss.

Cooper has the potential to become a Pro Bowl player if he continues to develop and make impact plays.

Eric Wilson played all 17 games and started 12. He was expected to play primarily on special teams, but Wilson had a strong training camp and preseason and earned a larger role on defense.

Wilson isn’t considered an elite athlete, and he lacks ideal size and speed for the position, but he’s smart, anticipates well and puts himself in a position to make plays. Wilson is better against the run than the pass.

He finished the season with one interception and 72 total tackles including seven tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble and broke up two passes.

Like McDuffie, Wilson will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst has to decide whether to re-sign one or both of them.

Final Grades for the 2024 Packers Linebackers: The Other Linebacker

Rookie third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper played all 17 games but only played 18 snaps all season on defense. The rest of his action came on special teams.

The Packers brought the Missouri product along slowly and didn’t feel he was ready for extensive action on defense.

Hopper possesses the athletic ability to excel at the position. The Packers are hoping for more from him in year two.

Final Grades for the Packers 2024 Linebackers

The Packers linebackers were better late in the season than earlier as the team got used to the new defense Jeff Hafley installed. Cooper raises this grade up a notch because of what he accomplished despite playing just 55 percent of the defensive snaps.
This group will need reinforcements if Wilson or McDuffie head elsewhere. Hopper’s development could help alleviate that.

Overall, the linebackers were not bad but not spectacular. They have the potential to be better. The grade was between C+ and B-, but Cooper’s playmaking and potential and Walker’s strong finish pushed it up to the higher of the two.

FINAL GRADE: B-

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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