Latest PFF grades prove why Packers need to consider benching Quay Walker

When the Green Bay Packers drafted Quay Walker with the 22nd pick two years ago, they believed he could become a difference-maker in the middle of the defense.

Many blamed Joe Barry's scheme for Walker's up-and-down play in his first two seasons, but his poor performances have continued in the first two games of the Jeff Hafley era. Walker has become a game-changer at linebacker, but for the wrong reasons.

In Week 2, he dropped a potential game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter, missed a tackle that led to a big gain for Jonathan Taylor on the ground, and couldn't make a play to prevent Anthony Richardson from rushing for a first down on 4th-and-11.

Walker has shown potential as a blitzer in Hafley's scheme. He generated the pressure that led to Xavier McKinney's interception against the Indianapolis Colts. However, he has missed tackles, struggled to stop the run, and is getting beaten too easily in coverage.

Quay Walker earns awful PFF grades in Packers' opening two games

After two games, Walker ranks 86th among 110 linebackers in Pro Football Focus' defense grades. The former first-round pick has made a disappointing start to the season.

Per PFF, Walker has already missed four tackles while allowing eight completions on 11 targets for 76 yards and a passer rating of 91.5.

Walker leads the team with 17 tackles and earned a solid pass-rushing grade in Week 2, but that's where the positives end. PFF gave Walker an awful 27.9 tackling grade, and he also struggled in coverage and against the run.

The issue is that Green Bay doesn't have many options. Walker isn't playing well enough, but the same goes for Isaiah McDuffie.

Eric Wilson has made an impact on limited snaps, but can he play a full-time role? Second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper has shown signs of why the Packers drafted him, but he hasn't earned the team's trust to play significant snaps. Fourth-rounder Ty'Ron Hopper has only played on special teams.

Unless the Packers sign a free agent, they may have to keep starting Walker. However, if his performances don't improve, they need to consider their options.

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