The Green Bay Packers were very excited by their 2024 draft class after the preseason. Many of the players selected showed great promise in training camp and in preseason games. While rookies usually require some time to reach their potential, there comes a point when these players show they are ready for bigger roles on defense. Here are three Packers rookies that deserve bigger roles right away based on their early season performance:

Three Packers Rookies That Deserve Bigger Roles, Number Three: DB Evan Williams

Fourth round pick Evan Williams made his first career start last week against the Rams. He’s earned it based on the promise he’s shown thus far. The former Oregon star made 10 total tackles and broke up two passes. The second one snuffed out the Rams last attempt at a comeback.

In Week 2 against the Colts, Williams made his first career interception which clinched the Packers win over Indianapolis.

Williams has a high football IQ and finds a way to make plays. His ability to play a hybrid safety/linebacker spot gives Jeff Hafley more options when it comes to how he wants to disguise his defense.

Williams is excited about the way he and his fellow rookies are contributing. “I’m not one to brag, but we’ve definitely got some talent with us rookies,” Williams said after the Rams game. “Honestly, every time we step on the field, we’re just trying to do our role. Our coaches preach that over and over. You don’t have to be Superman or do anything extraordinary. Just doing your role on the defense and the plays will come.”

Number Two: S Javon Bullard

Javon Bullard is playing well, starting all five games. He has been particularly strong in the box, making stops against the run. Through five games, the Georgia alum has made 28 tackles including one tackle for loss. He’s also broken up one pass.

Bullard has lined up both at strong safety and in the slot and played well in both spots. It’s possible he will take more reps from Keisean Nixon at slot corner once Jaire Alexander returns from injury. That will also get more reps for Williams at strong safety.

“I think we’re special, man. I think we’re going to be together for a long time and the sky is the limit,” Bullard replied when asked about the team’s rookie safeties. “And I feel like we can do some really special things in this league, as long as we our heads straight and keep the right mindset.”

Bullard has the biggest role so far of the three players discussed in this article. His ability to play in different spots in the secondary and his strong play in run support means Bullard should only see more playing time as the season progresses.

Three Packers Rookies That Deserve Bigger Roles, Number One: LB Edgerrin Cooper

Second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper has only played 87 snaps on defense through five games which is 26 percent of the team’s plays. He has also yet to start a game despite the struggles of the players ahead of him on the depth chart like Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. Yet nearly every time he’s on the field, Cooper has made an impact.

The former Texas A&M star has recorded 1.5 sacks, recovered a fumble, and broken up a pass. He also has two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.

Cooper has great speed and burst. He’s been very good at rushing the passer when asked to blitz. That was a skill he exhibited consistently in college, and it has already carried over to the NFL.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has noticed the impact Cooper has had when rushing the passer despite his limited reps.

“Yeah, it’s certainly impactful,” LaFleur said. “He has just got a way of wrapping … when we’re running some of those stunts in front of him, and he’s wrapping around some of those stunts, he just wraps so tight end fast and gets there in a hurry. And usually those take a little bit longer than traditional blitzes if you’re just sending somebody through a gap.”

Injuries slowed Cooper in training camp and have limited his practice time early in the season. The more he practices and plays well, the more opportunities he should get. Cooper looks like a potential playmaker who can turn a game around for the Packers. Now, they need to get him on the field more often to take advantage of these skills.

 

 

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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