The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers may have struck gold when they drafted Edgerrin Cooper in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Texas A&M linebacker put together an impressive rookie campaign. Despite only starting four games and missing three more due to injury, the explosive linebacker recorded 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interception.
With Cooper and former first-round pick Quay Walker, the Packers have the makings of a formidable linebacker group.
The Packers could be losing fellow linebackers Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie to free agency, leaving the depth at the position depleted.
With those potential departures, Ty’Ron Hopper could take on a more prominent role during his second year in the league.
Even if Hopper emerges, the Packers will need depth behind the young trio of Cooper, Walker and Hopper. A potential target in the 2025 NFL Draft is Chris Paul Jr. The Ole Miss linebacker checks in at No. 68 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
During three seasons at Arkansas, Paul recorded 137 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six sacks. During his lone season as a Rebel, he recorded 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and four pass deflections.
“Paul has the stats to back up being a great tackler, but perhaps most impressively, he took on a leadership role on the defense,” Sam Hutchens, the Ole Miss beat writer for the Clarion Ledger, said. “Not easy for a first-year Rebel transfer to do, but his teammates responded.”
He’s here. He’s there. He’s every-freaking-where. The Ole Miss linebacker is a bloodhound and always in on the action.
Paul is highly instinctive, which gives him a head start and he uses his quickness to evade blockers. Paul is explosive in short areas and explodes into the gap. With his lateral quickness, he has outstanding range as a run defender. He has a high batting average as a tackler and drives through the ball carrier. According to Pro Football Focus, Paul missed four tackles this past season.
“He won’t wow with his size or power, but he stopped the run effectively,” Hutchens said. “He flashed quickness in filling holes, and an ability to hold his own against bigger players.”
Paul gets proper depth in his drops and has the change of direction skills to turn and run with tight ends and running backs. He plays cleanly in space.
“He’s solid in coverage,” Hutchens said. “Which is where being undersized and a little lighter than most linebackers helps.”
Paul logged 316 snaps on special teams during his collegiate career and it could be an area where he makes an immediate impact as a rookie.
Fit with the Packers
In 2022, the Packers drafted Walker with the 22nd overall pick. Last year the Packers drafted Cooper in the second round and Hopper in the third round.
With those three on the roster and a year removed from using a pair of Top 100 picks on the position, Gutekunst may wait until Day 3 before adding a linebacker or two to the mix. Which makes Paul an ideal target early on Day 3 of the draft.
“From what I learned interviewing him and other teammates, he truly loves football,” Hutchens said. “It shows in big-picture stuff, like helping hold a team together after an upset home loss against Kentucky.”
Paul is a fearless run defender and has the upside in coverage to develop into a four-down linebacker. All that paired with his instincts and Paul would provide quality depth as a rookie and could enter the starting lineup down the road if the Packers don’t re-sign Walker to a second contract.