The Green Bay Packers draft class of 2024 has made a significant impact on the team this season. In fact, three players selected by GM Brian Gutekunst a year ago have become not only starters but significant contributors to a defense that ranks in the top 10 in most major categories.

In the second round, the Packers selected linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. The Texas A&M alum added speed at the position to compliment Quay Walker. Although he started only four games as a rookie, any time Cooper was on the field, he looked like a big-play machine. He finished his rookie campaign with 87 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, broke up four passes, seven quarterback hits and 13 tackles for loss. He also intercepted a pass, recovered two fumbles and forced one more.

This season, Cooper has become a full-time starter. While he only played 55 percent of the team’s defensive snaps a year ago, in 2025, he’s been on the field for 99 percent. His total tackles have already surpassed last year’s numbers, but for the most part, the big plays have not been there as much as they were in 2024. The biggest reason for that is addition of Micah Parsons. By adding Parsons, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has not been blitzing Cooper as frequently as he did a year ago.

Cooper remains a strong tackler and plays the run well. When he is called upon to blitz, he can still get pressure on the quarterback, and his speed helps him run down ball carriers and cover receivers.

With their other second round pick in 2024, the Packers added safety Javon Bullard. Bullard split his time as a rookie between safety and slot corner, but this season he has found a home in the slot. Despite playing through injuries, Bullard has become a strong contributor to the defense. He makes strong tackles and plays well near the line of scrimmage.

Bullard has improved in coverage this season. In 2024, opposing quarterbacks had a quarterback rating of 120.6 when throwing to receivers covered by Bullard according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. This year, that number has improved by more than 30 points.

Last month, Hafley explained Bullard’s contributions to the defense. “He's the type of guy that I'm confident playing back at safety, playing at nickel. He can kind of do it all. He can play in the half, he can play in the middle of the field, he can insert in the run game and he can blitz,” Hafley said. “There's times we do want to get him back there in certain situations, in certain personnel groupings that we feel are better, where there's some down-and-distances where we're comfortable with that. We just try to rotate him in, and it's also depending how much he's been at nickel and how many reps he's had. We need to get him involved in the game, because he's really a player you don't want to take off the field.”

In the fourth round, the Packers added safety Evan Williams. He claimed the starting safety job opposite Xavier McKinney last season and has made progress in year two of his NFL career.

Williams is an intelligent player who reads offenses well and puts himself in position to make plays. In addition to playing the run well, Williams leads the Packers with three interceptions this season. He has also broken up five passes and made four tackles for loss.

Last week, Matt LaFleur explained Williams’ contributions to the defense. “He’s playing really good football,” the Packers head coach said. “He’s always been a pretty aware player. I think he’s got great instincts, but now his knowledge of what we’re trying to get accomplished and then just his ability to disguise and hold things, and then on the snap, trigger – you definitely feel his presence in the run support.”

These three players have all become important contributors to the Green Bay defense this season. The best part is, all three have the potential to continue to improve down the stretch of this season and beyond. On defense, the 2024 draft is looking like a strong one for the Green Bay Packers.