BREAKING: Packers’ part-time starters make PFWA’s 2024 all-rookie team

The Pro Football Writers of America announced their yearly all-rookie team on Tuesday, featuring two Green Bay Packers on the 2024 edition of the squad: linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Evan Williams. Only one team, the Los Angeles Rams, was better represented on the list than the Packers this year.

Former PFWA president and active Hall of Fame voter Charean Williams tweeted yesterday that had Cooper not missed three games due to injury as a rookie, he likely would have been the organization’s defensive rookie of the year — a title that went to Rams first-round edge defender Jared Verse. In 14 games, despite only making 4 starts, Cooper recorded 87 combined tackles, 13 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception. He played 491 defensive snaps as a rookie, ranking 12th for the 2024 Packers.

Right behind Cooper in snaps played was Williams, who posted 474 snaps in his first year in the league. Originally, second-round rookie Javon Bullard, who led the Packers in defensive snaps this year, was the team’s primary starting safety in base sets. Williams only entered games when the team was in nickel sub-packages, which saw Bullard kick inside to the nickel position. Eventually, though, Williams displaced Bullard entirely, pushing Williams into a full-time role and Bullard into his sub-package snap count.

In 2024, Williams played in 13 games with 6 starts and recorded 49 combined tackles, 3 pass deflections, an interception, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.

Bullard probably could have been in contention to make the list as a safety, if not for Williams and Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock having very good seasons as rookies. Both of the Packers’ third-round picks, running back MarShawn Lloyd and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, didn’t make much of an impact this year, with Lloyd’s shortcomings being on the injury front. Green Bay’s first-round pick, offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, also ended the season on the injured reserve. Combined, Lloyd, Hopper and Morgan played 214 offensive and defensive snaps as rookies. For perspective, Bullard played defensive reps 786 alone in 2024.

Below is the full all-rookie team:

QB: Jayden Daniels (WAS)
RB: Bucky Irving (TB), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG)
WR: Malik Nabers (NYG), Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX)
TE: Brock Bowers (LV)
T: Joe Alt (LAC), Roger Rosengarten (BAL)
G: Jackson Powers-Johnson (LV), Dominick Puni (SF)
C: Zach Frazier (PIT)
DL: Jonah Elliss (DEN), Braden Fiske (LAR), Laiatu Latu (IND), T’Vondre Sweat (TEN)
LB: Edgerrin Cooper (GB), Chop Robinson (MIA), Jared Verse (LAR)
CB: Cooper DeJean (PHI), Quinyon Mitchell (PHI)
S: Caleb Bullock (HOU), Evan Williams (GB)
K: Cam Little (JAX)
P: Ryan Rehkow (CIN)
KR: Jordan Whittington (LAR)
PR: Brandon Codrington (BUF)
ST: Sione Vaki (DET)

Personally, I think it’s pretty disappointing that the PFWA’s teams are so rigged about their defensive line and linebacker designations. Ellis, Latu, Robinson and Verse are all edge defenders, meaning that Cooper is the only off-ball linebacker who received all-rookie honors this year. For a publication that is detailed enough to give out a non-returner, non-specialist special teams honor, you’d think they’d have their list a little more cleaned up than that.