Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft starting on April 25th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
Edgerrin Cooper (Linebacker), Texas A&M, R-Junior
Edgerrin Cooper stands in at 6'3" tall, weighing 230lbs, and is arguably the top linebacking prospect in this draft class.
Jamie Maury / TexAgs
Edgerrin Cooper is capable of leading the middle of the defense with the skill set to be a game changer for the next decade.
Steelers Overview
Less people will know Cooper's name than some of the other top prospects in this draft class, but make no mistake, there is a good chance he is the top linebacker taken as well as the only one to hear his name called on day one. He plays with the necessary violence for the position which reminds people of linebackers from the 2000s, but also possesses the needed athleticism and open field play that matches the modern game.
Pros:
- Violent hitter, but doesn't unnecessarily seek big hits
- Long frame
- Quick trigger to get downhill
- Very good athlete with good top end speed
- Good IQ in zone coverage passing off responsibilities
- Avoids blocks with the best of them, quick twitch athleticism excels here
- Times blitzes well and understands his rush lane
- Change of direction is very smooth
Cons:
- Plays high more often then not
- Earlier diagnosis needed at times
- Thin lower half
- Disengaging blocks not his strong suit
Figuring out the middle of the defense has caused issues for the Steelers in recent years, and they attempted to address this last season with a slew of free agent signings. Injuries plagued that position last year, and there are still questions at linebacker because of that. Cooper could solve that issue for years to come should the team look to him early in the draft after an NFL Combine meeting with him.
Julianne Shivers / The Battalion
Edgerrin Cooper has athleticism that sets him apart from the rest of the linebacker group in this draft class.
Run Game
Quick decisions and trigger let Cooper make several plays in the run game before they get started. He excels and slipping blocks which lets him dip by offensive linemen and blow up a play. However, there are a couple instances on tape where he gets moving the wrong direction with mesh points and misdirection, but he has the makeup speed to fix the small missteps. Getting thicker in his lower half should help him take on runs directly at him and hold his point a little better once a lineman gets his hands on him.
Coverage
This is an area where Cooper's athleticism shines, as he does well in space and doesn't allow much separation when matched up against better athletes. When dropping into zone he has shown the ability to pass off responsibilities as players move in and out of his zone, recognizing the next man to lock onto. No linebacker is perfect in coverage coming out of college, but Cooper has a solid starting point and continued to get better as he gained experience.
JONATHAN BACHMAN / GETTY IMAGES
Edgerrin Cooper possess the ability to get after the quarterback form the middle of the defense.
Blitzing and Athleticism
Quick twitch and long speed are Cooper's calling card. While he may be the top linebacker in the draft due to his all-around ability, his athleticism allows him to make plays some others can't. Cooper was used on blitzes more than most middle linebackers, and he did well understanding where he was supposed to hit both up the middle and on loop arounds. Racking up 8 sacks from the middle of the defense is incredibly impressive, and is definitely a skill set whoever drafts him will look to leverage.
NFL Comparison - Quincy Williams
The build of these two players doesn't line up, but the play style definitely does. Both have quick twitch athleticism that allows them to get downhill in a hurry and can put a strong hit on the ball carrier. Their length allows them to make plays in space that others struggle with, and can effect the game in all facets.
Draft Projection - Late 1st/2nd Round
Cooper is probably the top name on most boards for linebackers, and he cemented that with a solid showing at the combine. Whether or not a team pulls the trigger in the first is yet to be seen, but he has the all-around skill set to be a game changer for several years.
Let us know below what you think about Cooper as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the middle of the Steelers' defense! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
Additional Draft Profiles
#SteelerNation
