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Ex-Ohio State star Jonathon Cooper after making Broncos’ 53-man roster: ‘The real work starts now’
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Former Ohio State pass rusher Jonathon Cooper officially made the Denver Broncos’ 53-man roster on Tuesday.
It’s been an emotional offseason for Cooper, who had three heart procedures following the NFL Draft to ensure he’d be ready to play this season.
Despite that adversity, Cooper was one of the stars of the NFL preseason and secured his spot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. Cooper was a seventh-round pick in April’s draft and did not have longterm security in the NFL.
“The real work starts now,” Cooper told reporters on Tuesday. “This is only the beginning. Obviously this is an amazing feeling and a great accomplishment for me. I’m extremely happy but now the real work starts and I just have to keep going.”
Jonathon Cooper said it feels amazing to make the 53, but now the real work starts pic.twitter.com/zh1FnE9PV1
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 31, 2021
Cooper was one of the highest-rated defensive rookies selected outside of the first round throughout all of preseason, according to Pro Football Focus.
Highest-graded non 1st-RD defenders in #NFL preseason
1. Nate Hobbs, Raiders CB – 90.7
2. Elijah Sullivan, 49ers LB – 89.9
3. Jonathon Cooper, Broncos ED – 88.6
4. Elijah Molden, Titans CB – 85.7 pic.twitter.com/qRIBzpsuQg— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 30, 2021
He’s not likely to start, but Cooper should contribute on special teams and will be an important depth option behind fellow Broncos outside linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
Cooper will likely make his NFL debut on Sept. 12 against the New York Giants.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.