Raiders Draft Prospect: LB Edgerrin Cooper, TAMU

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could bolster the Las Vegas Raiders linebacker group.

The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and the Las Vegas Raiders are researching prospects they may want to add to the team.

The Raiders formed an identity under new head coach Antonio Pierce when he took over midseason, one of great toughness and competitiveness that players bought into, and fans felt the Raiders days of old return.

Pierce and the Raiders want to return to the postseason after missing it in the last two seasons. The Raiders put together a strong draft class in 2023 and now want to put together another one.

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could fit what Pierce and the Raiders want to do defensively. Cooper, a consensus All-American and a First-Team All-SEC member in 2023, is one of the top inside linebackers in the draft class.

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could be a good fit for the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2024 NFL Draft / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper concluded his Aggies career with 205 total tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, eight passes defended, two interceptions, and eight and a half sacks. He was tied for seventh in the nation in 2023 with 17 tackles for loss.

Cooper stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 230 pounds. He is the type of athletic linebacker teams may covet for today’s league, as there are many mobile quarterbacks who can beat defenses with their legs. Cooper has the speed and athleticism to chase down those quarterbacks.

Watching Cooper’s game film against LSU, on the first play, he is lined up out wide in coverage. While he likely won’t do that often in the NFL, it is valuable for teams to know he is capable of playing outside.

Cooper is a very athletic linebacker. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the third-fastest time among all linebackers. His 1.54 10-yard split led all linebackers.

Cooper is a tackling machine who plays hard every snap. Although he struggles with play recognition at times, he has the elite traits to recover from any mistakes. However, he will need to improve that play recognition at the next level if he wants to be a three-down linebacker.

Cooper’s impressive combine has improved his draft stock, and he is now considered a second or third-round selection.

If the Raiders want to add even more athleticism to their linebacker group, they could select Cooper on day two.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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