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Quay Walker Drafted by Packers: Green Bay's Updated Depth Chart After Round 1
April 29, 2022
With the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers decided to bolster their defensive unit by selecting Georgia linebacker Quay Walker.
With the selection of Walker, let's take a look at Green Bay's updated defensive depth chart:
DE: Dean Lowry
NT: Kenny Clark, Tedarrell Slaton
DE: Jarran Reed, Jack Heflin
LOLB: Preston Smith, Tipa Galeai, Randy Ramsey
LILB: Krys Barnes, Quay Walker, Ty Summers, Ray Wilborn
RILB: De'Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie,
ROLB: Rashan Gary, Jonathan Garvin, La'Darius Hamilton
LCB: Jaire Alexander, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento
SS: Adrian Amos, Vernon Scott, Innis Gaines
FS: Darnell Savage, Shawn Davis
RCB: Eric Stokes, Kiondre Thomas
SCB: Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon
The Packers likely hope to pair Walker with All-Pro De'Vondre Campbell, who re-signed with the franchise on a five-year, $50 million deal in March after an impressive 2021 campaign in which he finished with a career-high 146 tackles.
Walker was not a starter for Georgia until his senior season. However, he impressed in his final campaign for the national champion Bulldogs, recording 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, 67 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss in 15 games.
Walker's draft stock rose immensely after an impressive combine performance in which his athleticism was on full display. The 6'4", 241-pound linebacker recorded a 4.52 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical and a 122-inch broad jump.
While the Packers' defense didn't necessarily struggle in 2021, Walker will help improve a Green Bay passing defense that finished 10th in the NFL, allowing 219.1 passing yards per game. The team's rush defense ranked 11th in the league, allowing 109.1 yards per game on the ground.
That said, it was surprising to see the Packers not use their first selection on a wide receiver. After trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay is left with Sammy Watkins, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb as Aaron Rodgers' top targets, none of which are as talented as Adams.
However, it's worth noting some of the draft's top receivers were off the board before the Packers were on the clock, including Chris Olave, Drake London, Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, Jahan Dotson and Treylon Burks.