Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Lacks the ideal frame and strength for the NFL, needing to bulk up to better withstand and disengage from blocks.
• Occasionally misjudges speed in open space, leading to missed tackles against more agile opponents.
• Zone coverage awareness requires improvement; prone to getting distracted by backfield actions.
• Struggles with consistency in taking on and shedding blocks, often opting to evade rather than confront.
• Plays with a high center of gravity, making him vulnerable to blockers and affecting his ability to change direction quickly.

Scouting Report: Summary

Heading into the NFL Draft, Edgerrin Cooper emerges as a dynamic prospect with a high motor and elite lateral quickness, embodying the archetype of the modern NFL linebacker. His tape at Texas A&M underscores a multifaceted skill set, capable of dropping into coverage with ease, sideline-to-sideline pursuit, and disrupting the backfield with regularity. However, his frame presents a double-edged sword; while his agility and speed allow him to cover ground rapidly and engage in pass coverage effectively, his lighter build could see him struggle against the power run game at the next level. Cooper's versatility, being scheme-versatile with an ability to play in multiple fronts, makes him an enticing option for defensive coordinators looking to deploy him in a variety of roles, from a coverage linebacker in nickel packages to a blitzer in passing situations.

In the NFL, Cooper's immediate fit appears to be within schemes that prioritize speed and versatility over traditional linebacker roles. His skill set screams a three-down linebacker in a 4-3 defense, where he can leverage his coverage skills and quickness while being protected from head-on collisions with interior linemen. The challenge for NFL teams will be bulking him up without sacrificing his speed and explosiveness, enabling him to shed blocks more effectively and hold his own in the trenches.

Cooper's draft stock is buoyed by his proven track record of making plays in space and his knack for timing blitzes, projecting him as a Swiss Army knife in the right defensive scheme. Overall, Cooper offers an intriguing blend of elite athleticism and football IQ, with the only question marks being his size and ability to adapt to the physicality of the NFL. If he lands in a system that can harness his strengths and develop his areas of improvement, Cooper could evolve into a cornerstone defender, capable of altering games with his versatility and playmaking ability similar to the Niner's Fred Warner.