Everyone knows how impactful it is to have young contributors in the NFL in the salary cap, rookie-scale contract era. At the same time, it’s hard and rare for first-year players to have a huge impact from the get go. Players take some time to get used to life in the NFL, the speed of the game, and how to take care of their bodies.

For a draft and develop team like the Green Bay Packers, year over year performance increase is even more important. After all, the development part is as important as the draft one.

Last year, the Packers had strong returns from some of their rookies—for example, it was the first time since 2009 that the Packers put two defensive players (Edgerrin Cooper and Evan Williams) on the All-Rookie Team. Now, they have a chance to try to follow a linear path of growth. For others, it’s an opportunity to breakout after a tough start.

Let’s discuss three players who may make significant leaps in Year 2.

Edgerrin Cooper

This is an easy one. A second-round pick in 2024, Cooper had a limited defensive role as a rookie due to his rawness, but was so good when on the field that the coaching staff had no option if not to play him as much as possible down the stretch. Cooper played 45% of the defensive snaps, as that was enough for the off-ball linebacker to generate 3.5 sacks, 11 pressures, and 35 stops, with a decent 93.8 passer rating when targeted. He also had an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups.

His impact in every area of the game, but especially as a blitzer, was huge for the Packers throughout the season—especially considering how difficult it was for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to create pressure with four pass rushers.

Cooper is still a project, but he showed everything you would want from a project—something the Packers never had with Quay Walker, for example.

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Jordan Morgan

Morgan had a solid start to his training camp last year and was primed to start at right guard from Week 1 until he suffered a shoulder injury. That problem not only cost him the starting job early on, it affected his entire rookie season. The first-round pick rotated with Sean Rhyan at right guard for some time and started at left guard against the Detroit Lions in Week 1, but played through an injury that ultimately made him flat out miss the second half of the season.

In the 186 snaps Morgan did play on offense, he was effective in pass protection, allowing seven pressures, and but underwhelming in run blocking. Healthier, the expectation is that Morgan will not only play and start, but be a real contributor to elevate the offense.

In mandatory minicamp, for instance, Morgan started at left tackle in both practices. It’s still not a guarantee that he will take over in spite of Rasheed Walker, but that would certainly be the preferred outcome for the Packers.

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Javon Bullard

It would be easier to mention Evan Williams here, but the fourth-rounder was already super impactful as a rookie. He can obviously improve, but based on pre-draft expectations and on-field performance as a rookie, Javon Bullard has more room for growth. Last season, he started at safety early on, but when Jaire Alexander got hurt and Williams started to play deep at a high level, Bullard moved to nickel corner.

The second-rounder is a good enforcer and run-stopper. His versatility is a huge weapon, and the ability to be a playable starting cornerback helps in a room full of question marks.

However, for Bullard to actually make a Year 2 leap, he needs to get better in coverage. As a rookie, he allowed a 121.4 passer rating when targeted—the worst number amongst Packers’ defensive backs. He basically transformed every quarterback in 2011 Aaron Rodgers. That’s not good enough, but he has the potential to be better—now, it’s a matter of how and where Hafley will try to do it.

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The team significantly invested in the position once again

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