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Edgerrin Cooper would be an explosive addition to the Commanders’ linebackers

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 26 LSU at Texas A&M
Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Edgerrin Cooper, LB
School: Texas A&M | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 230 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 2-3

Player Comparison: Dre Greenlaw

College Statistics

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2020 Texas A&M SEC FR LB 2 2 0 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 Texas A&M SEC FR LB 12 37 21 58 5.5 0.5 1 4 4.0 0 1 0 0
2022 Texas A&M SEC SO 11 33 28 61 8.0 0.0 1 0 0.0 0 5 1 0 0 1
*2023 Texas A&M SEC SR LB 12 39 45 84 17.0 8.0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2
Career Texas A&M 111 94 205 30.5 8.5 2 4 2.0 0 8 2 0 0 3
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/19/2024.

Player Overview

Edgerrin Cooper has been on a steady upward trajectory. After having a productive high school career, he was a four-star recruit and one of the top players in the state of Louisiana. Cooper chose Texas A&M over several other schools including LSU. Although Cooper redshirted, he saw action in all 10 of the Aggies games in 2020, mostly on special teams. In 2021, he started one of 12 games but was the fourth-leading tackler on the team.

Cooper established himself as a force for the Aggies defense in 2022 with standout play as a starter in eight games, leading the team in tackles for loss and second in pass deflections. For his last season Cooper lead the team with career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks. Not only was he named All-SEC First Team, but he was a consensus All-American.

Strengths

  • Incredible burst allows him to shoot gaps into backfield
  • Long arms help him make sure tackles
  • Can provide some punishing hits
  • Zone and man coverage abilities are very good
  • A very effective QB spy
  • Doesn’t quit on plays, shows good pursuit of the ball

Weaknesses

  • Can overrun plays and miss tackles by coming in too fast
  • Sometimes takes himself out of plays by eluding blocks
  • Needs to work on disengaging from blocks
  • In zone coverage, would like to see more awareness

Let’s See His Work

How He Fits on the Commanders

Looking at the Commanders presumptive starters at linebacker – Jamin Davis, Frankie Luvu, and Bobby Wagner – it’d be easy to think the team is set at the position. However, with Davis possibly going into the last year of his contract and Wagner only signed for he upcoming season, the Commanders need to find long-term answers for the position.

Watching Edgerrin Cooper fly around the football field is exciting. There really is no place on the field he can’t get to and make a play. While his speed and his explosiveness is his superpower, it is also his kryptonite. It causes him to overshoot plays and miss tackles. If the Commanders are convinced that he can be coached up to play with more discipline, Cooper will be an ideal WILL linebacker in a 4-3.

With the Commanders unlikely to pick up Davis’ fifth-year option, Cooper would be his heir apparent and can use this season to improve his weaknesses without the pressure of having to start.