Packers 2022 Draft: Analysis of Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt picks
The Green Bay Packers already have a top-10 defense. They just got a whole lot more stacked.
With the 22nd overall pick, GM Brian Gutekunst selected a lightning-fast ILB in Quay Walker out of Georgia. With the 28th overall selection, Gutekunst went back to the University of Georgia to select Walker’s teammate, a run-stuffing DT in Devonte Wyatt.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has to be ecstatic about what he now has in the middle of that defense.
Starting with Walker, the Packers drafted the fastest sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the country. For context, Walker, who stands at 6-foot-3, weighs 242 pounds and runs a 4.5, had a faster short shuttle and three-cone time at the combine than his old/new teammate CB Eric Stokes, who he also played with at Georgia.
That is significant because Stokes has 4.2 speed. Walker started 15 games last season for the best defense in America en route to a National Championship.
He has elite athleticism and strong instincts. His ability to diagnose which way the play is moving and get off of blocks is extremely solid. He is also one of the premier run-stuffing LBs in the the country.
Walker will join an ILB room that includes All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell and third-year Krys Barnes. This was a very good pick by Gutekunst. Not only did the team fill their LB depth need, but they may have just drafted a future Pro Bowler.
Wyatt, who will wear No. 95, stands 6-foot-3, weighs 304 pounds and runs a 4.7. That is ridiculous.
Green Bay picked two Georgia defenders who can absolutely fly at their respective positions. His pass-rush traits (initial first punch, rip-through, gap awareness) stand out. His penetrating ability is top-tier and his motor doesn’t stop.
Wyatt now joins a defensive line that includes two-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, good rotational pieces in Dean Lowry and talented, second-year man T.J. Slaton. The Packers’ defensive line just became even more stout and quick.
Gutekunst was being screamed at by the media, impatient Packers fans, and whoever else to draft a receiver. But he stayed the course. They didn’t overstep by giving up too many picks to trade up for a receiver that could be just as good as a possible option later on.
The Packers now have the most talented defense they have had since their 2010 Super Bowl run.
Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Jarran Reed, Rashan Gary, Quay Walker, De’Vondre Cambell, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Jaire Alexander, Adrain Amos, and Darnell Savage sounds pretty darn good to me.
The defense got deeper in the middle, which will allow them to plug up running lanes and smother opposing offenses.
Looking to Day 2 in Las Vegas tonight, the Packers have three picks. Two in Round 2 (No. 53 and No. 59 overall) and one in Round 3 (No. 92).
The Packers have three needs left and then they could look to take the best player available.
Receiver should be addressed at some point.
North Dakota Sate’s Christian Watson, Georgia’s George Pickens, Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore, and Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce are all still available. There was talk of Green Bay possibly trading up in the first, but that never came to fruition.
Look for Gutekunst to possibly look into trading up in the second round, especially if more receivers are starting to go. Gutekunst might look to draft multiple receivers.
The offensive line will need more pieces as well, but no team knows how to churn out deep, versatile offensive lines like the Packers.
They can find their guys anywhere.
The last need could be at safety. There isn’t much depth behind Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, who just had his fifth-year option picked up by Green Bay. They could use at least one selection at that spot.
So far, so good for Gutekunst and Co. The Green Bay defense is loaded. The team has three more picks today. They are in a good spot. It might be an offensive night tonight. We shall see.