2022 First Round Pick, #22, Quay Walker discussion thread.

[King Friday]

If you are going to take an ILB in the first round, he better be a tremendous athlete with great size. Walker does meet that standard. I would be heavily disappointed with a 5'10" guy at that spot in the first.

I would've preferred Johnson, who I feel has the potential to be a three down DE at the pro level. My dislike of the pick is probably more tied to that. As far as an ILB prospect, Quay looks to be very good, and I hope he puts it together at the next level and becomes a Pro Bowl caliber player. To take a position like that at pick 22, he needs to become that for the pick to be worthwhile.

[RashanGary]

Hes 1/2 inch taller than Parsons. 4 pounds less. Parsons ran a 4.39 at his pro day, but lets call that a 4.44 because pro day times are cheat codes for faster times. Same 10 yard and 20 yard and quays times are from combine. Better agility from Quay.

Very similar athlete to Parsons.


I credit apb for the comp.

[HarveyWallbangers]

After having time to think about it, I still don't like this pick. He's not Micah Parsons. He is a good player though. I have absolutely no problem with the Packers having him ranked as the #1 LB. As I was finalizing my board yesterday, I didn't understand why Devin Lloyd and his 4.66 speed and solid (but not great) tape was considered a mid 1st round pick and tiny Nakobe Dean without any testing numbers was considered a 1st round pick were ranked so much higher than Walker. He has superior size and athleticism to those guys. I ultimately gave him the same grade as those guys, but ranked him 3rd.

However, it's all about positional value and, even more so, the cluster of good LBs in this draft. To me, there wasn't a whole lot of difference between Devin Lloyd and Troy Andersen, for example. If he turns out to be a really good player and solidifies this defense, none of it will matter though. Walker, Chenal, and Andersen have the best size/athleticism combo. I liked Walker more than Chenal because he's better in coverage. Andersen is raw--since he's new to the position.

[Joemailman]

I'll be interested to see if the Packers will let Walker see some time at Edge. He had quite a few pressures at Georgia, but not a lot of sacks. That might indicate he has the athleticism to rush the passer, but not good technique to finish. I don't know if he was rushing the passer from Edge or Will positions.

[Upnorth]

So I have read he is good against run, and more importantly, very good covering te. Harv can you confirm this?

If this is true the last few years it has been rb and te that kill us. Crazy athlete and fills a weakness. I'm now ok with this pick.

[HarveyWallbangers]

So I have read he is good against run, and more importantly, very good covering te. Harv can you confirm this?

If this is true the last few years it has been rb and te that kill us. Crazy athlete and fills a weakness. I'm now ok with this pick.

Yes, he's a really good all around LB. I think some thought the talent around him made him look better. However, I think he's one of the better LBs in this draft at shedding blockers. There's not a real weakness to his game--except maybe his instincts. That's hard to evaluate, but sometimes he's slow to recognize. It's not so bad that it's a fatal flaw though.

I don't think he showed much edge prowess, but Georgia blitzes their LBs A LOT. His speed made him good in that role.

The good thing with getting Georgia defensive players is their 3-4 scheme is more similar to the Packers scheme than most college defenses. He could be a really good player though. If he is, it would allow us to play more 2 ILBs and less 3 safeties--and give our run defense a boost.

[Upnorth]

I think safety has become a need as savage is under preforming.
If this reduces our reliance on our s group then this could be a great pick

[George Cumby]

This kid looks like that sideline to sideline 'Backer we haven't had for a loooong time, Campbell notwithstanding.

He's got the length, strength, athleticism and burst to work the edge from what little I've seen.

[Sparkey]

I really like the pick. There is another plus not mentioned. He excelled on special teams for the Bulldogs.

[Fritz]

Yes, he's a really good all around LB. I think some thought the talent around him made him look better. However, I think he's one of the better LBs in this draft at shedding blockers. There's not a real weakness to his game--except maybe his instincts. That's hard to evaluate, but sometimes he's slow to recognize. It's not so bad that it's a fatal flaw though.

I don't think he showed much edge prowess, but Georgia blitzes their LBs A LOT. His speed made him good in that role.

The good thing with getting Georgia defensive players is their 3-4 scheme is more similar to the Packers scheme than most college defenses. He could be a really good player though. If he is, it would allow us to play more 2 ILBs and less 3 safeties--and give our run defense a boost.

A I am reading, it seems this will free up Barry to play more 4-2 nickel instead of 5-1. IF this kid can cover a TE, then it gives them more flexibility - better run D while still covering the pass. So I can see it. And it makes even more sense with the next pick - that DT from Georgia. Now the middle there has the potential to be like TB's was two years ago. And as someone said, the safety need is lessened - maybe they draft someone later to try to develop.

[Deputy Nutz]

Watched a few games and my initial thoughts on Walker,

1. By no means is a he polished football player. Currently, his instincts for the game are not great.
2. Hesitant in the pass game in terms of zone matching skills, doesn't trust his reads or exactly where he is supposed to be, found to be covering grass more times than not.
3. Run game, again hesitant doesn't seem to be a film rat, or if he is it hasn't yet translated. Doesn't fully understand what offenses are trying to do, doesn't trust reads.
4. Not a full time player for the Bulldogs, he was a rotational guy for them, simply not close to being the best linebacker on the field for Georgia.
5. Not an edge rusher he is a LB.
6. Narrow frame, long limbs.
7. As of right now don't know how he is going to compete with other NFL caliber linebackers for playing time in Green Bay. He has a lot to improve on and hopefully the Packers didn't just fall in love with his athleticism and potential.
7. Tackling is a total plus for him.
8. Needs to improve block destruction

[Fritz]

That's a downer of a post, Nutz.

Guys that seem to have no instinct but are good athletes . . . sniff, sniff . . . .wait, is that Oren Burks that I smell? No, no . . . oh, it's Josh Jones, maybe?

[Deputy Nutz]

That's a downer of a post, Nutz.

Guys that seem to have no instinct but are good athletes . . . sniff, sniff . . . .wait, is that Oren Burks that I smell? No, no . . . oh, it's Josh Jones, maybe?

Sorry.
I remember watching the national title game and Dean just lighting him up down inside the 10 yard line for something stupid, and all of a sudden he turned up the gas and played his ass off the rest of the game. So there is that for ya.
But, I'll be honest I was really caught off guard with this pick. I really liked the Gary pick when everyone else jumped off a bridge, but I just don't see a first round grade on this guy when you could have had him in the 2nd round or later, and if he was taken before the Packers drafted who cares? Draft tiers are about even with the top 5-6 linebackers.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Sorry.
I remember watching the national title game and Dean just lighting him up down inside the 10 yard line for something stupid, and all of a sudden he turned up the gas and played his ass off the rest of the game. So there is that for ya.
But, I'll be honest I was really caught off guard with this pick. I really liked the Gary pick when everyone else jumped off a bridge, but I just don't see a first round grade on this guy when you could have had him in the 2nd round or later, and if he was taken before the Packers drafted who cares? Draft tiers are about even with the top 5-6 linebackers.

Wasn't that Tindall (#41) he was yelling at? Then, the next play Tindall got a sack.

[Deputy Nutz]

Wasn't that Tindall (#41) he was yelling at? Then, the next play Tindall got a sack.

Well, shit.