Green Bay Packers Post 2022 NFL Draft Superlatives

The 2022 NFL Draft is in the books for the Green Bay Packers, so as has become tradition — and it’s also one of my favorite exercises — it’s time for some post-draft superlatives.

A superlative can be defined as “an exaggerated or hyperbolical expression of praise.”  So I’ve picked out eight of these exaggerated or hyperbolic expressions and assigned the draft pick that I believe fits best with each one.

Green Bay Packers Best value: Kingsley Enagbare

We knew that the Green Bay Packers needed to add an edge rusher in this draft class, I just did not expect it to happen until the last selection in the fifth round. I also didn’t expect Kingsley Enagbare to still be on the board, either. According to Dane Brugler’s pre-draft big board, Enagbare was rated as the 69th prospect overall, yet Green Bay selected him at pick 179.

Enagbare will hopefully be able to make an immediate impact on third downs and other obvious passing situations as the third edge rusher. He would record 45 pressures and four sacks during his final season at South Carolina, and Enagbare can also line up inside as well–something we know the Packers like to do with their edge rushers.

Biggest Surprise: Quay Walker

For years, and I mean years, the Green Bay Packers didn’t invest heavily into the inside linebacker position. However, in the same offseason that they signed De’Vondre Campbell to a five-year-$50 million deal, the Packers also spent a first-round pick on the linebacker position as well, selecting Quay Walker at No. 22 overall. Again, I can’t say that I saw this one coming.

The addition of Walker will allow Green Bay to line up more in traditional nickel packages with two linebackers on the field–something we didn’t see as often in 2022. Walker will also bring an added level of athleticism and versatility to the position, and he’s someone who can be effective in coverage, but against the run is where he may make his biggest impact early on.

Biggest Year 1 Impact: Christian Watson

I was torn between choosing Watson or Devonte Wyatt, but I ended up choosing Watson, given the uncertainty within the receiver room. Right away, Watson will provide the Green Bay Packers with a needed vertical presence, and not only can that lead to big plays, but having that element can also open up the passing game for others as he draws attention and creates better spacing.

We could also see Watson utilized as the motion man and gadget player–which will allow him to get the ball in space where his 4.36-speed can take over. Not to mention that he was an All-American kick returner at North Dakota State as well, which is another area where he can leave his mark.

Those are the areas where he can make an instant impact and hopefully as the season progresses, we see him continue to develop and impact other parts of the field–and perhaps become a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers in high-level situations.

Favorite Pick: Devonte Wyatt

When you add a presence like Devonte Wyatt to the defensive line rotation, the potential for him to impact the entire defense is a possibility. With Wyatt lined up in the A or B-gaps, the Green Bay Packers have added flexibility to move Kenny Clark around more in search of one-on-one opportunities. Wyatt will also help keep the linebackers and safeties clean to make plays while he takes on double-teams and eats up space.

The edge rushers could have fewer double-teams on their own to take on, with offensive lines having to also contend with Wyatt and Clark. When it comes to disrupting a play — whether it be a run or a pass — the quickest way to do so is with pressure up the middle, which Wyatt can certainly provide.

If Wyatt — and the other interior defensive linemen — are playing well, the rest of the defense will benefit.

Biggest Day 3 Contributor: Romeo Doubs

There are likely several correct answers here, including Enagbare and Zach Tom, but I’ll choose Romeo Doubs, again because of the uncertainty in the receiver room. Doubs is an experienced, high-volume target with 339 career passes thrown his way, per PFF. He’s also a big-play threat, finishing the 2020 season third among all receivers in deep ball receiving yards. Doubs was very effective between the numbers where a bulk of his targets came, and he would average 12.5 yards per punt return on 37 career attempts.

3 Words to Describe this Draft: Unexpected but Effective

This draft likely didn’t play out — at least early on — how many of us imagined that it would with two defensive selections in the first round — including a linebacker — and then a massive move up the board in Round 2 for a receiver, but this was a very effective draft for Green Bay.

Brian Gutekunst solidified arguably the two weak points on what is a stout Packers defense. He added needed speed and playmaking to the receiver position with Watson, Doubs, and Samori Toure, while also adding offensive line depth with three selections for the third straight season. Watson, Doubs, and Tariq Carpenter all could provide special teams with an immediate boost, and Enagbare could very well become a key member of the edge rusher rotation. This draft was filled with value picks while still making sure the biggest needs were taken care of.

UDFA to Watch: Tyler Goodson

With how much experience is on this Green Bay Packers roster, it’s going to be difficult for any UDFA to make the initial 53-man roster–especially at running back, where we know, two spots are accounted for. But a name to watch is Iowa’s, Tyler Goodson.

Goodson rushed for nearly 2,500 yards in his three seasons with the Hawkeyes, including 1,098 yards this last season, while averaging 5.0 yards per rush over his career, according to PFF ($$). He also has 78 career targets with 8.3 yards per catch, and for what it’s worth, his athletic testing aligns fairly closely to that of Aaron Jones.

In all likelihood, Goodson will be a practice squad player in 2022, but there is some uncertainty around Aaron Jones’ future in 2023, at which point, Goodson — or Kylin Hill or Patrick Taylor — could be in line for a larger role.

Hot seat: Dean Lowry

The Green Bay Packers have their deepest defensive line rotation in years with Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Devonte Wyatt, Jarran Reed, and TJ Slaton. At a minimum, this could lead to Lowry seeing his playing decreased, depending on the impact that Wyatt, Reed, and Slaton can make. And while I don’t anticipate Lowry being cut, I will point out that the Packers can save $5.9 million in cap space if they were to move on from post-June 1.