Green Bay Packers Trade Up in 3 Round NFL.com Mock Draft
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Pick 59: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
With the current state of the Green Bay Packers roster heading into free agency, linebacker is a massive need for them. Currently under contract for 2022 are Ty Summers, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ray Wilborn. Now, Krys Barnes will, in all likelihood, be back, but he is an exclusive rights free agent–but even so, this is still a position that will need to be addressed.
Typically, linebacker is not a position that the Packers put much capital into; however, it will be interesting to see if the play of De’Vondre Campbell this past season changes how they view the position. I know the game didn’t mean anything, but just go back and watch the Detroit game and look at how much success Jared Goff had over the middle of the field in his absence.
If Green Bay is unable to re-sign Campbell, then looking to address the position early on in the draft should be on Gutey’s to-do list–that is, if they are willing to value the position any differently. Barnes is a fine player, but he was much more effective in 2021 in the role of Robin rather than being Batman like he was asked to do in 2020.
Walker has four years of playing experience at Georgia, but he saw a bulk of his college snaps come during this past season. Walker would post 16 pressures, two of which were sacks, and he was a very reliable tackler, missing only two while recording 49. In coverage, Walker would allow only 7.2 yards per catch on 17 receptions, and he recorded two pass breakups as well, according to PFF ($$).
"“Walker is an uber athletic and rangy linebacker. His impact is felt in the run game, in coverage, and pressuring the quarterback,” said The Draft Network. “Prior to 2021, Walker did not start a game until the 2020 season. His lack of starting experience leaves his FBI and processing ability open for growth.”"