10 bold predictions for Green Bay Packers 2022 season
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Prediction: Quay Walker wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
The first step to winning this award is having opportunities, and Walker is going to have plenty. He is going to be a key member of this defense, playing alongside of De’Vondre Campbell.
With a strong defensive front, Walker will be kept clean, which will allow him to move around the field freely, making plays. What we saw from him in that final preseason game, where he had a handful of tackles in only two drives, is a possible glimpse into what we could see during the regular season.
Walker will have the potential to load up on tackles, and if he can also come away with some pass breakups and forced turnovers, whether that be via a fumble or interception, from a production standpoint, it will be tough to ignore his case.
Ultimately it will be the numbers that will put Walker in a position to win this award, but his presence will allow the Packers to stay in their base defense more often, which will make things more challenging for opposing offenses.
Green Bay Packers Prediction: Neither Romeo Doubs nor Christian Watson eclipse 500 receiving yards
The last Packers rookie receiver to eclipse the 500-yard mark in that first year was Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Otherwise, this is a feat that has rarely happened in Green Bay.
Circumstances are certainly different in 2022 without Adams, as there is more opportunity out there, and these rookies are going to play larger roles than most first-year pass catchers.
However, at least early on in the season, Rodgers has made it fairly clear that the starting receivers are going to be Lazard, Cobb, and Watkins. Doubs and Watson will have roles, but it doesn’t sound like either will be featured right away–although hopefully, their roles increase.
In addition to the veteran receivers, Jones and Dillon will be active in the passing game, as will Robert Tonyan. Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara will also have some opportunities as well.
So between the rookies working their way into more defined roles, which may take two weeks or it may take 10, the ball being spread around more, and the bevy of veteran pass-catching options that Rodgers has to rely on, I think it will be challenging for Doubs and Watson to hit 500 yards.