When the entire world thought the Green Bay Packers would take a wide receiver in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they used both of their picks on the defense.
With the 22nd and 28th overall picks, the Packers selected inside linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt before calling it a night. One would think this sets Green Bay up to add at least one receiver during the second round, which has been a sweet spot for the franchise when it comes to finding talented pass catchers.
But instead of focusing on the offense, let’s take the Packers approach and turn our attention to a defense that continues to get better after finishing 10th against the pass and 11th against the run in 2021. Walker and Wyatt were two highly touted players for a dominant Georgia defense that ranked first overall in yards per play, opposing touchdowns, and second in total yards per game last season.
Let’s start with Walker. Initially, the pick was a bit surprising. The Packers are a team that didn’t exactly prioritize the inside linebacker position in recent years. However, that position has now become a focus for them following a breakout All-Pro season from De’Vondre Campbell.
Campbell signed a five-year deal, worth $50 million this offseason and now has some extra help in the middle.
After the picks were made, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he was looking forward to the defense running more two inside linebacker personnel. Drafting Walker will enable them to do that after more than they did in the past.
At this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Walker ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, showcasing the elite speed that helped him secure 65 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss as a senior. Walker’s career numbers may not look impressive, but that is mostly because he had to wait his turn behind a deep Bulldogs linebacker corps throughout his career. It was not until his final season that he became a full-time starter.
Ultimately, that didn’t deter the Packers, who identified Walker as a player they liked early in the process. Walker is a high IQ player who uses good vision and instincts to sniff out plays. He is also one of the best tacklers in the class, having missed only seven times on 138 career attempts, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now we move on to Wyatt, who is expected to provide much-needed help to Pro Bowler Kenny Clark. Clark has been a one-man wrecking in the trenches for Green Bay, but hopefully, that is a load he won’t carry by himself much longer.
Like Walker, Wyatt was also impressive in front of scouts at the combine. After measuring at 6-3, 304 pounds, he ran an absurd 4.77. In 14 games last season, Wyatt logged just 2.5 sacks but was credited with 27 QB pressures.
Wyatt relies mostly on his quickness to get penetration; however, he does carry some pop in his hands. Wyatt will fit nicely as a rotational player for the Packers at the start, with the upside to develop into a productive starter. Many thought he would be off the board before pick 28.
Wyatt and Walker were two of five Bulldogs to get taken in the first round. Travon Walker was the first overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Philadelphia Eagles used the 14th pick on Wyatt’s sidekick Jordan Davis before the Minnesota Vikings capped off day one by selecting safety Lewis Cine. Five defensive players picked in the first round is a record for one school on the defensive side of the ball.
Georgia is now starting to become a pipeline school for Green Bay after they used last year’s first-round pick on former Georgia corner Eric Stokes. Stokes went on to have a successful first season with the Packers, leading all rookies in forced incompletions and pass breakups, per PFF. Hopefully, Walker and Wyatt can follow suit.
“Really excited to bring them to the Green Bay Packers,” said Gutekunst. “They come from a strong culture at Georgia, and they will help our football team. Their speed and explosiveness is off the charts.”
