The Green Bay Packers had two defensive players on the All-Rookie Team in 2024 , so it wouldn't be a surprise to have two defenders on the All-Breakout List as well. But while one of them is the same, off-ball linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, safety Evan Williams didn't make NFL.com's list made by Bucky Brooks , projecting players who will break out in 2025. The second name is edge defender Lukas Van Ness.
The former first-round pick hasn't lived up to his draft stock and played through a hand injury last season, but Brooks projects that Van Ness will have more success now that he will finally start alongside Rashan Gary.
"After slowly acclimating to the NFL as a rotational player for a talented defense, Van Ness should be ready to make his mark as a pass-rushing specialist off the edge. The 2023 first-round pick has produced seven sacks over two seasons, but more opportunities should yield better results from the Iowa product. Whether he is attacking from the edges as a full-time starter or creating chaos as a designated playmaker in a sub-package, Van Ness possesses the size, tools and experience to turn his flashes into disruptive production this fall." — Bucky Brooks.
It would be a curious proposition, considering Gary and Van Ness were viewed as similar prospects—raw, but with developmental upside due to their athletic traits. The older player broke out in his third season back in 2021—Gary had more playing time because starter Za'Darius Smith missed most of that season with a back injury.
A third-year breakout for Van Ness would be huge for the Packers, because he is a preferred starter. Last year, Green Bay traded veteran Preston Smith away to give more playing time for the young pieces, but Van Ness was still behind Kingsley Enagbare.
Edgerrin, an expected candidate
The other Packers player on the defensive list is Edgerrin Cooper, which is not a surprise based on how well he played in a limited role as a rookie.
"There is always a place in the league for linebackers who specialize in the "hit, run and cover" aspects of the game. Cooper is a rare find as a downhill 'backer with the speed, quickness and agility to match tight ends and running backs in space, while possessing the power, pop and wiggle to wreak havoc on blitzes. Despite logging just four starts in 14 total games last season, Cooper stuffed the stat sheet with 87 tackles (13 for loss), 3.5 sacks and four turnover plays (one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries), earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. The second-year pro could be in line for more accolades as a designated playmaker in Jeff Hafley's "see ball, get ball" defense." — Bucky Brooks.
The Packers also had a player on the offensive list—offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, listed by Brooks as a guard, even though Green Bay will try to establish him as a left tackle.
