Dairyland Express
Fansided

Pros and cons to Packers selecting Quay Walker 22nd overall in 2022 NFL Draft

By Brian Sampson

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) is stopped by Georgia Bulldogs inside linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) is stopped by Georgia Bulldogs inside linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Green Bay Packers continue to shock the NFL world with their first-round draft picks. In yet another draft where they desperately need wide receiver talent, they chose to forgo the position with their top pick and selected linebacker Quay Walker out of Georgia with the 22nd overall pick.

Walker started for one year at Georgia and was a key piece of their dominant defense in 2021-22. He had 65 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks a season ago. At 21-years-old, he rose up draft boards in recent months thanks, in part, to his elite testing score. On a scale of 10, he posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.66.

There were plenty of other great players available so it’s somewhat surprising the Packers went in this direction. The following players of note were still on the board: Jermaine Johnson, Daxton Hill, Devin Lloyd, Devonte Wyatt and George Pickens. Anyways, let’s get to the pros and cons of Walker’s game.

Here are the pros and cons to the Green Bay Packers selection of linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Con: He doesn’t play wide receiver

Walker has the potential to turn into an every-down linebacker in the NFL–but that’s definitely not wide receiver. There was a big receiver run from picks 8-12 when four wideouts were taken in that span. There were six selected in total before the Packers were on the clock at no. 22. That’s disappointing for a team that desperately needs to add talent at a position that currently has Allen Lazard as their no. 1.

Pro: Elite Athlete

Walker is an elite athlete–something Green Bay loves to target with their top draft picks. He can run sideline to sideline to track down ball-carriers in the run game and that speed pops in the game time and time again (he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash). He also has good size and length for his position and uses his long arms to keep blockers off him. Those athletic traits should carry him early on in his career until the coaching staff can teach him better technique and fundamentals.

Con: Already have a starting linebacker

One of the comparisons scouts made to Walker was De’Vondre Campbell. That’s great, except the Packers literally have Campbell on their roster and just re-signed him to a five-year deal. They rarely used two inside linebackers at a time last season and it will be difficult to imagine them significantly increasing that usage in 2022. Walker is definitely an upgrade over Krys Barnes as the primary backup, at least.

Pro: High ceiling

General manager Brian Gutekunst loves to swing for the fences with his first-round picks. Similar to Rashan Gary a few years ago, Walker might not play a ton early in his career, but Green Bay drafts for the future. They likely hope Walker can contribute right away in sub-packages on defense and develop into the long-term starter once they’re ready to move on from Campbell.

Con: Lots of other good players available

As previously listed, there were plenty of quality players still remaining on the board when Walker was selected. That includes a more highly-ranked player at the same position, Devin Lloyd. The Athletic compiled a consensus ranking of the top 300 prospects according to Big Board’s across the internet and Walker came in at 52nd. Not great, Bob.

Home/Green Bay Packers