Green Bay Packers Visit w/ Penn State OT Rasheed Walker

Offensive tackle seems to often be left out of the conversation when discussing positions of need for the Green Bay Packers, but that shouldn’t be the case.

Currently, the only healthy offensive tackles on the roster include David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, and maybe Cole Van Lanen—although he may be viewed as a guard. When Elgton Jenkins returns, the depth obviously improves, but what about until then?

Green Bay is currently one injury away from disaster, while it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Nijman to have some competition. After all, he hasn’t played right tackle since college, and he’s still fairly inexperienced with just over 600 career snaps.

With four picks in the first two rounds, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see the Green Bay Packers invest heavily in the position.

And one name to keep your eyes on is Penn State’s Rasheed Walker, who visited with Green Bay, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Walker did not do any athletic testing, but he comes with good size at 6’6” – 314 pounds, as well as good length with arms just under 34”.

He has a good amount of experience, having been on the field for nearly 2,100 career snaps as a three-year starter with the Nittany Lions, with just about all of them coming at left tackle.

From 2019 to 2021, where the bulk of his playing time occurred, Walker allowed 10 sacks and 56 pressures over 1,161 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF ($$). In 2021 specifically, he gave up four sacks and a career-high 26 pressures.

Walker also comes from the zone-heavy Penn State rushing attack, per PFF, and as we know, the Green Bay Packers utilize the wide zone rushing scheme under Matt LaFleur. For what it’s worth, he would rank 58th out of 171 eligible offensive tackles in PFF’s run-blocking grade during the 2020 season.

Now for more on Walker, Brentley Weissman of The Draft Network had this to say:

"“As a pass blocker, Walker shows very good foot quickness to get depth in his pass sets and mirror edge defenders. He can change direction quickly and redirect to stunts and inside counters. Walker displays excellent anchor and is very good with his hands, showing very good hand strength and punch timing. There are times Walker oversets and leaves room inside for counters and Walker will lose balance at times playing too far over his feet. In the run game, Walker is much more of a wall-off-and-seal blocker than a road grader. He doesn’t have top-end power at the point of attack and can get inverted by stronger and more physical defenders.”"

For an additional perspective, here is what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote:

"“Walker possesses enticing power and measurables but has issues that could be challenging to correct if he stays at tackle. Ohio State defenders were able to burn up his outside edge, which creates concern about his pass pro range, but it can be hard to beat his anchor with pure power. He has issues playing beyond his base, creating chronic over-extension that will be exploited by skilled NFL rush talent. He’s capable as a run blocker and should keep getting better with more hand work. Walker projects as a right tackle on the next level but might move inside to guard if his range and balance in pass sets aren’t up to par.”"

Among a deep offensive tackle class, Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network has Walker graded as the 11th rated tackle overall. In all likelihood, Walker will be a Day 2 pick, where the Packers currently have three selections.

If Walker, Nijman, or any other rookie or veteran offensive tackle can provide the Packers with a reliable option at right tackle, it will give Green Bay the option to keep Jenkins at guard, which would provide a massive boost to the interior.