Texas A&M Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper To Meet With Texans Before NFL Draft
Even with a breakout season from second-year star Christian Harris, plus the addition of Tennessee Titans standout Azeez Al-Shaiir, the Houston Texans could afford to bring in another linebacker.
Perhaps that comes in the form of Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper, one of the top do-it-all playmakers at the position. He'll be on Houston's radar entering April 25 and will be stopping by NRG Stadium before the Chicago Bears turn in the card and kickstart the draft.
According to The Draft Network, Cooper has seven top-30 visits over the next several weeks, including one with the Texans. Because Cooper is a Texas-based player, this will not count against Houston as part of its prospects visiting the facility.
The Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also expected to host Cooper.
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Cooper, who led the SEC with 17 tackles for losses in his final season with the Aggies, is expected to be a late-first or early second-round pick. Currently, the Texans, Cowboys, Eagles, Packers and Buccaneers own late-first-round picks, while the Panthers own the first pick of the second round.
A native of Covington, La., Cooper established himself as potentially this year's top linebacker prospect last month at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis with one of the better workouts among prospects. His 4.52 40-time ranked second among linebackers.
Cooper also posted a broad jump of 9-foot-10-inches and posted a 34.5-inch vertical jump. He said during interviews he models his game after San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowler Fred Warner. It's a good comparison as the two have identical measurements at 6-3, 230 pounds.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans played an influential role in helping Warner go from being a third-round pick into one of the league's top playmakers. He duplicated the success in Houston last season with Harris, who finished with a career-high 101 tackles and two sacks.
A consensus All-American, Cooper finished the 2023 season with 83 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as part of top-25 scoring defense. He also posted two double-digit tackle performances, including an 11-stop day against then-No. 11 Alabama at Kyle Field in early October.
From a scheme standpoint, Cooper is the type of player Ryans could mold into one of the league's better off-ball linebackers. Even though he's known for his aggressive play style against the run, Cooper's been a more than capable defender in coverage during his three seasons in College Station.
Al-Shaiir, who was one of the better No. 3 linebackers under Ryans in San Francisco, broke out in his lone season with the Titans, finishing fifth in tackle with 163 stops. Signed to a three-year, $45 million deal, he's expected to be the MIKE backer moving forward.
Does this affect Cooper being a selection? It does at No. 23 for now entering the weekend. The Texans still have needs at defensive tackle, receiver and cornerback for the long run, especially following the trade of Maliek Collins to the 49ers.
At No. 59 — or potentially in a trade-up or trade-back option — Cooper could be in play and would flourish as the No. 3 backer before either taking over full-time for Al-Shaiir or Harris. Other teams, however, would have to be willing to pass on the thumper to open a lane for a trade-up scenario.
Dallas, which owns the No. 24 pick, could be looking for linebacker help early after missing several top names. The Cowboys added former Minnesota Vikings star Eric Kendricks, but it's only for a one-year deal.
Green Bay and Tampa also could be in the market for a linebacker. The Packers recently released veteran De'Vondre Campbell after three seasons and own the 25th overall pick. The Buccaneers, who pick 26th overall, also could be looking for the long-term replacement of Lavonte David, who's entering his age 34 season.
Tampa also is expected to re-sign former first-round linebacker Devin White.
Both the Panthers and Chargers select early in the second round and need linebacker help. Carolina picks at No. 33 while Los Angeles selects four picks later at No. 37.
