There haven't been too many surprises regarding Green Bay Packers free agents who departed this week. Malik Willis, Romeo Doubs, and Quay Walker found new homes. The Packers moved on from Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, and Nate Hobbs. No surprises there.
What is surprising is Rasheed Walker's status. Easily the best offensive tackle available in free agency, Walker remains unsigned on Thursday. With several teams desperate for help at tackle, many expected Walker to benefit by landing a massive multi-year deal. That's no longer looking likely.
Appearing on ESPN Milwaukee, NFL insider Adam Schefter explained why Walker could end up settling for a one-year deal.
"There were not a lot of teams in the left tackle market to begin with. There were only a few, like Cleveland, Detroit, a few others," Schefter said. "What happened is there were not a lot of teams, and I think he's now going to look to a one-year deal. A one-year deal to put himself in a good situation and go back into the market next year."
How Rasheed Walker's free-agency status could directly impact the Packers
With so many Packers free agents heading out the door this week, you've probably heard a lot about compensatory draft picks.
According to Over The Cap's latest projections, Green Bay is currently on track to land three extra selections in the 2027 NFL Draft: two picks in Round 4 for losing Malik Willis and Romeo Doubs, and one pick in Round 5 for losing Quay Walker.
Rasheed Walker's next contract could land the Packers another, but there's some uncertainty.
Spotrac projected that Walker would land a four-year, $81.1 million deal in free agency, putting him at the $20.3 million salary mark. That would likely have been enough for the Packers to receive another compensatory pick as high as a third- or fourth-rounder. But it's now unclear whether Walker will land a contract in that range.
Signing a one-year deal isn't necessarily a bad thing. If it still hits $20 million per year, the Packers will benefit from a solid compensatory pick. But if that number comes down and is more of a prove-it contract, Green Bay could feel the impact.
Walker will sign somewhere. There's no doubt about that. But it seems like there's still a gap between the deal Walker and his agent are looking for, and the range teams are willing to pay.
That's why the resolution may be a one-year deal, where teams don't take on the gamble of a multi-year contract. Walker sacrifices the security of a long-term deal, but instead gets an opportunity to prove himself, land a strong one-year offer, and then cash in next offseason.
The Packers have signed three free agents: cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and wide receiver Skyy Moore.
Hargrave doesn't count toward the compensatory draft pick process because the Minnesota Vikings released him. His contract didn't expire. Over The Cap's projections have the St-Juste deal canceling out a potential sixth-round compensatory pick that the loss of Kingsley Enagbare could've gained them. The Moore deal hasn't factored in, likely due to how affordable it was.
Teams can receive a maximum of four compensatory picks. The Packers look on track for three, and Walker signing elsewhere will likely still allow them to max out.
The exact terms of that deal, now potentially only a one-year commitment, will help determine the pick Green Bay receives.