Breaking down Packers’ two 2022 first-round picks
The Green Bay Packers did not draft a receiver in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In fact, they didn’t get Aaron Rodgers any offensive help at all, instead choosing to spend both of their first-round picks on former Georgia defensive standouts.
With the 22nd pick of the draft, the Packers selected inside linebacker Quay Walker. With the 28th pick, the team selected defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.
Many Green Bay fans were unhappy with the team’s selections, insisting that the team needed to spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver to replace All-Pro Davante Adams.
While the Packers do need reinforcements at the wide receiver position, it simply wouldn’t have made sense to reach for a receiver at either the 22nd pick or the 28th pick.
Additionally, it likely would’ve cost more than the Packers were willing to give up to trade up to the 12th pick to select Alabama star receiver Jameson Williams.
This year’s wide receiver class is an exceptionally deep one, and the Packers will undoubtedly be able to find key offensive contributors on day two.
So, instead of lamenting the picks that the Packers didn’t make, let’s analyze the picks that they did make, and what these two defensive stars can bring to Joe Barry’s defense.
Pick 22: Quay Walker, ILB, Georgia
In selecting Walker, Brian Gutekunst stuck to the draft philosophy that has defined his tenure in Green Bay: selecting athletic, high-potential playmakers.
Walker’s Relative Athletic Score of 9.63 is elite, ranking 91st out of 2,419 linebackers from 1987 to 2022.
Where he especially excels is in the speed and agility department. He ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash and had a faster short shuttle and three-cone time than speedy Packers cornerback Eric Stokes.
Walker’s athleticism should help make him the perfect partner to All-Pro middle linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
His speed combined with his 80-inch wingspan and excellent tackling ability will help to greatly improve a porous Green Bay run defense (the Packers allowed opponents to rush for 4.6 yards per carry in 2021, 28th in the NFL, per Team Rankings).
Additionally, Walker has the athleticism to guard elusive tight ends and slot receivers, allowing Campbell to focus more on defending the run. All in all, the selection should help solidify the center of the Packers’ defense, and help transform the unit into a top-five defense in 2022.
Pick 28: Devonte Wyatt: DT, Georgia
Wyatt is likely the best interior pass rusher in this draft class. I thought that the Packers would consider selecting him with the 22nd pick, and was thrilled to see him fall to them at the 28th pick.
His Relative Athletic Score of 9.56 is elite. And, similarly to Walker, he was especially impressive in the speed department, running a 4.77-second 40-yard dash.
Wyatt helps fill one of the Packers’ biggest holes: interior defensive line. Outside of Pro-Bowler Kenny Clark, Green Bay has struggled to produce a pass rush from the interior of their defensive line.
Wyatt is an excellent pass rusher out of the A-gap, and his presence will make it harder for teams to double-team Clark, opening up the ability for the Packers to be more effective in both rushing the passer and stopping the run.
Altogether, these two selections should be the final puzzle pieces for a Green Bay defense that, on paper, looks to be one of the NFL’s best.
Pairing up Walker with Campbell should form an elite middle linebacker group that will rank among the league’s best.
Pairing Wyatt with Clark will solidify a great pass rush that already features outside linebackers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.
These picks will help the Packers defend against both the rush and the pass, and should vault the team’s defense into the upper echelon of the NFL.
Not selecting a receiver in the first round, however, does put more pressure on Brian Gutekunst and company to select one on Day 2.