Quay Walker’s departure for Raiders won’t matter thanks to rising Packers star in ESPN rankings

The Green Bay Packers lost a lot of talented players during the offseason. Green Bay lost linebacker Quay Walker to Las Vegas during NFL free agency and did not make any moves to replace him. That could be because they already have one of the NFL’s best linebackers on their roster.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler published a list of the top 10 linebackers in the NFL on Tuesday. It is part of an annual series where ESPN polls NFL scouts, coaches, and executives to compile their rankings list.

Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper made ESPN’s list, coming in ninth place. He did not make the list during the same exercise last offseason. But a solid 2025 campaign put him on the radar for many sources around the league.

“He has the size, speed and run-and-hit ability that few have,” a veteran NFL defensive coach said, per Fowler. “He can really go.”

Cooper logged 118 total tackles with two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and four passes defensed in 2025. The former second-round pick finally emerged and proved he can play like a starting-caliber middle linebacker. Cooper even drew comparisons to Fred Warner, who came in first on the list, before the 2025 season.

One of Cooper’s greatest assets is his ability to quickly process the game. That allows him to make smart decisions in the blink of an eye.

“It’s his mind,” a high-ranking AFC official said. “He sees it and can anticipate.”

Meanwhile, Walker did not make it into the top 10 of ESPN’s list. Instead, he was an honorable mention.

“The light finally came on for him last year. I thought he diagnosed the run game better than in the past. He has always been fast, long and can hit,” an NFC assistant coach said of Walker.

Green Bay may not miss Walker much at all with Cooper leading their defense.

It will be exciting to see how the Packers look when training camp kicks off later this month.

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