Packers Rookie Quay Walker Keeping a Close Eye on De’Vondre Campbell

It was about this time last summer that the Green Bay Packers found a hidden gem on the free agent market, signing linebacker De’Vondre Cambell to a one-year deal worth only $2 million.

Under defensive coordinator Joe Barry, for the first time in his career, Campbell was able to play the role of Batman at the linebacker position, which showcased his ability to do it all–whether that be playing the run, the pass, or as a blitzer.

Against the run, Campbell was a reliable and stout defender. He finished the season with the sixth most solo tackles out of all linebackers, and his four missed tackles were the fewest. Campbell also was responsible for 53 stops, which were tied for the fourth-most at the linebacker position, according to PFF ($$).

Meanwhile, through the air, he would give up only 6.8 yards per catch–the second-fewest. Overall, Campbell also had PFF’s second-best grade at linebacker last season.

The end result of Campbell’s stellar season was a first-team All-Pro nod and a new deal with the Green Bay Packers worth $50 million over five years.

Joining Campbell at the linebacker position in 2022 will be rookie Quay Walker, who also brings an all-encompassing skill-set to the Green Bay Packers linebacker room.

Walker stands over 6’3″, weighs 241 pounds, and posted an elite RAS score of 9.63 out of 10, which included a 4.52-second 40-time and a 6.89-second 3-cone drill.

He was a very sound tackler at Georgia, missing only two of his 49 attempts in 2021, and an efficient pass-rusher as well, generating pressure on over 21% of his pass-rush attempts, some of which came lined up as an edge rusher. In coverage, Walker was always close by, allowing only 7.0 yards per catch over his career.

Between a few OTA practices along with minicamp, Walker has now had the opportunity to share the field as well as the locker room with his counterpart Campbell–and Walker has been taking full advantage of the opportunity, trying to soak up everything he can from the All-Pro.

"“I’ve picked up a whole lot, to be honest with you,” said Walker via Packers.com. “He didn’t quite know it, but I wanted him a whole lot. Just tried to learn as much as I can from him. How he goes about his day, how he gets treatment in between meetings and stuff like that, and the things that he do.“So I just pick up on everything. Not only him but Krys as well. Those two guys are very, very good guys that I pretty much just try to learn as much as I can from.”"

With Walker and Campbell on the field together and their abilities to play both the run and the pass, the Green Bay Packers should have the ability to stay in their base nickel defense more often.

This means that they will be less reliant on a third safety, and it will be harder for opposing offenses to decern what the Green Bay defense is trying to do. Last season, the Packers had a bit of a tell because when Henry Black was on the field, they were likely playing the pass, and when Barnes was out there, they were probably focused on the run game.

After many offseasons of investing little into the linebacker position — and oftentimes that showing — in the span of just a few months, the Packers not only paid Campbell but they also spent a first-round pick on Walker.

Together, and with their versatility, this is a linebacker unit that will be prepared for whatever opposing offenses try to throw at them, and as Walker prepares for his first NFL season, he’s taking in everything that he can from one of the game’s best at the position.