2025 NFL All-Breakout Team (Defense): Packers Land Two Standouts in Lukas Van Ness, Edgerrin Cooper…read more…
As the NFL prepares for the 2025 season, excitement is already building around emerging stars poised to make the leap from promising talents to household names. The league’s annual All-Breakout Team highlights the young defenders expected to shine, and this year, the Green Bay Packers are among the biggest winners. Second-year edge rusher Lukas Van Ness and rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper have both earned spots on the All-Breakout Defensive Team, signaling high expectations for Green Bay’s evolving defense.
Lukas Van Ness: Year Two Explosion Looms
Lukas Van Ness, the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was seen as a raw but powerful talent coming out of Iowa. Nicknamed “Hercules” for his elite physical traits, Van Ness spent most of his rookie year rotating in behind veterans Preston Smith and Rashan Gary. While his rookie stats—4.0 sacks, 10 QB hits—weren’t eye-popping, his flashes of dominance gave fans a preview of what could come with more snaps.
Now entering his second season, Van Ness has reportedly transformed both his technique and confidence. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has already implemented a more aggressive front, which should benefit Van Ness’s relentless style. Coaches have praised his offseason work ethic, especially his improvement in hand usage and pass-rush counters.
“Lukas is ready to be unleashed,” Hafley said during minicamp. “We’re not holding him back this year. He’s going to be a problem.”
Van Ness is expected to start opposite Rashan Gary, giving Green Bay one of the league’s most explosive pass-rush duos. With Kenny Clark still anchoring the middle and first-round rookie Jordan Morgan helping on the offensive side, the Packers appear to be building a well-balanced, competitive team.
Edgerrin Cooper: Speed and Instincts Redefine Linebacker Role
While Van Ness’s breakout may have been predicted, Edgerrin Cooper’s rapid rise is catching some analysts off guard. Drafted in the second round out of Texas A&M, Cooper was considered one of the most athletic linebackers in the 2024 class. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds with 4.5 speed, he brings rare sideline-to-sideline quickness that Green Bay’s defense lacked last year.
Cooper has reportedly adapted quickly to the NFL level. He’s currently projected to start alongside veteran Quay Walker, and the two could form one of the league’s fastest linebacker duos. In training camp, Cooper has consistently blown up screen plays and blanketed tight ends in coverage—something that Packers fans haven’t seen since the prime days of Desmond Bishop or Nick Barnett.
NFL scouts have compared Cooper’s trajectory to that of former Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (now Shaquille Leonard), who emerged as a Pro Bowler in his rookie season.
“Edgerrin has been a sponge,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “He doesn’t just rely on athleticism—he studies tape, asks the right questions, and plays with an edge. We think he’ll surprise a lot of people.”
Packers Defense Trending Up
After years of inconsistency, Green Bay’s defense may finally be catching up to its offense. With the rise of young talent like Van Ness and Cooper, the unit could become a strength rather than a liability. The team also features rising stars like cornerback Jaire Alexander, safety Xavier McKinney, and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.
What sets this 2025 breakout team apart is its emphasis on youth and athleticism. While veterans like T.J. Watt and Fred Warner remain elite, the All-Breakout Team is focused on those poised to become stars—players with the potential to reach Pro Bowl or All-Pro levels for the first time.
Green Bay’s front office, led by GM Brian Gutekunst, has taken a calculated risk by going young on defense, particularly in the front seven. The selection of Cooper, paired with the expected breakout from Van Ness, is a clear indication of that strategy. If both deliver, it could redefine the Packers’ defensive identity for years to come.
League-Wide Breakout Standouts
While the Packers are the only team with two defenders named, other standouts on the 2025 All-Breakout Defensive Team include:
Christian Gonzalez (CB, Patriots): After a solid rookie campaign cut short by injury, Gonzalez is ready to become New England’s next lockdown corner.
Byron Young (EDGE, Rams): An explosive pass rusher who quietly posted 8 sacks in 2024, Young could hit double digits this season.
Jack Campbell (LB, Lions): With more freedom in the Lions’ new-look scheme, Campbell is expected to showcase his sideline range and leadership.
Brian Branch (S, Lions): Branch’s versatility allows him to play slot corner or deep safety, making him one of the most unique players in the NFL.
What This Means for Green Bay’s Playoff Hopes
With quarterback Jordan Love continuing to develop and an exciting crop of skill players on offense, the Packers’ success may hinge on how quickly their defense can mature. If Van Ness becomes a consistent pass-rushing threat and Cooper solidifies the middle, Green Bay could contend in a competitive NFC North.
Analysts are already revising their projections. While the Packers were seen as a fringe playoff team entering last season, the rapid development of defensive pieces has them trending toward 10+ wins.
“It’s not just about Rodgers-to-Love anymore,” said NFL Network’s Peter Schrager. “It’s about the defense catching up—and maybe even leading the way.”
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NFL All-Breakout Defensive Team offers a glimpse into the league’s future stars, and Green Bay’s representation on the list is more than symbolic. It’s a sign that their youth movement on defense is taking root. Van Ness and Cooper are still developing, but the NFL world is watching—and expecting big things.
Should they live up to the billing, Green Bay may soon be known not just for its offensive legacy, but f
or building one of the league’s fiercest young defenses.
