'Physical freak:' What the scouts say on the Packers' top five picks
Edgerrin Cooper is a rare linebacker in today's game. He'll bring violence. Our Bob McGinn empties his notebook on the Packers' first five picks. All unfiltered analysis inside.
By Bob McGinn
Here is what personnel people told me before the NFL draft about the Green Bay Packers’ selections in the first three rounds.
JORDAN MORGAN, T-G, ARIZONA
Rd. 1/Pk. 25.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 311.
40: 5.07.
Wonderlic: 11
Hometown: Marana, Ariz.
Fact/stat: The seventh offensive lineman selected. Suffered a torn ACL in November 2022. His arm length (32 7/8 inches) was the shortest of the top 15 tackles; his hand size (10 7/8) was the third largest.
NFC scout: “He’s a starter athletically but there’s an inconsistency with his playing style. Sustainability and toughness and finish and all that shit. He’s got pride. I can’t say he doesn’t.”
NFC scout: “I have (Taliese) Fuaga rated higher but I do like Jordan. Athletic kid. He came off an ACL this year. I was hoping to see a jump in his play but didn’t see that as much. He’ll be a starter possibly. I see him early as a swing tackle. He’s athletic; he’s just got to put it all together. You’d like to see him be more physical.”
AFC scout: “He’s pretty good. He is the most finesse of all the top guys. I don’t think he’s not tough; he’s just a finesse player. Flexible, good bender. He can move. He’s light on his feet. He plays like a left tackle just in terms of pass pro. His run blocking needs to improve. He’s really smart with high character. He can probably play all five (positions). At minimum, he can play four of the five, so you’re talking about a guy that’d be extremely valuable on game day. He has a chance to be a later first (round) pick. If you got him in the second you’re doing back flips.”
AFC scout: “Good kid. He’ll play. Good athlete. He’s in my top 10 offensive linemen.”
AFC scout: “He’s all right.”
AFC scout: “He’s a foot athlete. Moves his feet well, moves around well. He isn’t real physical. He’s more like Paris Johnson. Excellent pass blocker, adequate run blocker. Natural left tackle. He’ll be best in a zone (scheme). Not as strong or nasty as the other top guys. Alex Gibbs would love him. He gets to the second level and downfield. What he is, he’s a technician with nice feet. He’s probably a second-round pick. Remember that guy from Pittsburgh (Brian O’Neill) who was drafted by the Vikings? He had no strength at all. People just bounced him around. That’s who this guy is. He has the feet.”
AFC scout: “Good kid with a quiet demeanor. Liked and respected by his teammates. Not a vocal leader. Hard worker in the weight room. Has passion for the game. Adequate toughness.”
NFC scout: “He’ll be a steady starter. Has 11-inch hands. Good athlete.”
NFC scout: “He’s as athletic as can be. Light on his feet. Technique-sound, positions easy. He can pull. He can run. Not a powerful guy but he works at it. In pass pro he can mirror guys. He reminded me of Christian Darrisaw.”
AFC scout: “People will start him off at left tackle but maybe ship him inside ultimately. In today’s football, he probably is (a guard).”
EDGERRIN COOPER, LB, TEXAS A&M
Rd. 2/Pk. 45.
Height: 6-2.
Weight: 229.
40: 4.55.
Wonderlic: 11.
Hometown: Covington, La.
Fact/stat: First linebacker drafted. This was the second draft in history in which a linebacker wasn’t drafted in the first round. The other was 2011 when Brian Carter (No. 40) was the first to go.
NFC scout: “He does everything. He is all over the place. He is nasty, explosive. He covers, blitzes. He’ll take on. He can chase and he’s fast. Really fun to watch. He’s something else. He’s a top-15 player. It’s just the value of that position. His instincts are outstanding. He’s taller and longer than Roquan (Smith). He’s like Devin Lloyd in that they played him all over the place. He had 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. You see him blitzing, covering, middle, edge.”