Packers Rookies Who Will Make Instant Impact in 2024 Season

The Green Bay Packers brought in one of the largest draft classes in the 2024 offseason. Now, it's time to figure out what they can actually do for them.

The Packers finished up their first rookie minicamp last weekend with 11 draft picks, eight undrafted free agents and 18 tryout players looking to show off what they can do and earn a spot on the roster.

Of course, there are higher expectations than simply making the roster for some. This team showed a lot of potential over the last half of the 2023 season and has playoff expectations in 2024.

Some rookies are going to be trusted to make an immediate impact when the season kicks off in September.

Based on the depth chart, talent and ability to play right away, these three rookies should settle into high-impact roles from the jump.

LB Edgerrin Cooper

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Edgerrin Cooper

It might come as a surprise that first-round pick Jordan Morgan isn't leading this list. That's because it's far from a guarantee that he even locks down a starting job by Week 1.

Rasheed Walker held his own at left tackle last season, and Morgan has questionable length to stick on the outside anyway. He's a talented blocker and has a long-term future on the Packers, but there's reason to doubt that it comes on the outside.

Instead, Morgan could be a long-term guard. Beating out Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan by September isn't a given, though.

It's much easier to see Edgerrin Cooper's path to playing time. After letting De'Vondre Campbell go this offseason, they have a clear need at linebacker beside Quay Walker.

While Morgan is going to have to break through in a position group that has a lot of talent, Cooper's primary competition for snaps will be Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson. With Jeff Hafley switching the base from a 3-4 to a 4-3, the Packers have an even bigger need for off-ball linebackers.

The shift should suit him just fine, as outlined in Matt Holder's scouting report:

"Schematically, he'd be best as a 'Will' linebacker in even fronts for a team that uses a lot of man coverage and fire zone blitzes. That will allow play-callers to take advantage of his ability to impact the passing game, as he's a good coverage 'backer and blitzer."

Expect him to be in the starting lineup Week 1 and making a few splash plays along the way.

S Javon Bullard

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Javon Bullard

The Packers have traditionally used earlier picks on defense. So while they pivoted to offense with their first-round pick, it's not surprising that they went defense with the next two selections.

Cooper should be a starter, but Bullard should at least work his way into a situational role early on.

Bullard could challenge Keisean Nixon for the starting slot role. The 5'11", 195-pound defender played a lot of deep safety alignments at Georgia but he was primarily a slot defender in 2022.

The Packers ended up drafting three safeties, including Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo. Each has a fairly unique skill set and there isn't much depth behind free agent addition Xavier McKinney.

While McKinney is at his best as a deep safety he has the ability to play up in the box too. Hafley is a good enough defensive coordinator to have a plan that is going to maximize their strengths.

For Bullard, that means playing a hybrid role that allows him to be the deep safety while also occasionally rolling up into a nickel position in one-high safety looks. Either way, he'll be making an impact early.

RB MarShawn Lloyd

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MarShawn Lloyd

MarShawn Lloyd might appear to be buried on the depth chart with Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon in the fold, but that won't last long.

The Packers made a sizable investment in Jacobs. He'll be the top back from the beginning of the season. However, he's not been the most consistent back in his career and missed four games with a thigh injury.

That's not to say that Lloyd will take his job, but AJ Dillon's role is certainly up for grabs.

The Packers brought him back on a one-year, $2.7 million contract. That's not enough financial commitment to warrant a guaranteed role and Lloyd has the skills to push him for playing time early.

The 5'9", 217-pound back has a stout build and explosive athleticism. He needs to work on becoming a professional-level technician, but he can run behind his pads and works as a functional receiver.

The Packers are going to need a back who can alleviate Jacobs' workload without providing too much of a drop off in production.

Lloyd can be that guy as a rookie.