PACKERS WIRE UPGRADE

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At a floor, Walker looks like a solid NFL linebacker.Д¬omparison:В I see some shades of Bobby Okereke to his game. His feel and awareness, coupled with everyone rewatching the Georgia defense to see Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Devonte Wyatt and everyone else might have people taking a second look. You can see this trend thanks to the highly informative MockDraftDatabase: Now? Walker is inside the first round, often coming off the board at 21 to the New England Patriots. As recently as March he was coming off the board in the second and third round of most mock drafts. Will that continue at the next level?Д¬onclusion:В Walker is getting a lot of buzz as the draft approaches. He might also be an example of вЂњgame fastвЂќ and not вЂњtrack fast.вЂќ His straight-line speed was not impressive at the Combine, but his awareness and feel for the position gives him a head-start on the field. He is also aggressive in man coverage situations, and will bite on double-moves or even an initial juke from a back or tight end. Walker shows adequate feel for zone match coverages, with the awareness to carry or collide based on the offensive formation and concept, yet he could still improve in this area. He plays with active hands and can disrupt both throwing lanes and at the catch point. Weaknesses: Still, coverage is a bit of a mixed bag with Walker. You can see him active pre-snap, calling things out, and then the awareness in underneath zone coverage: This play against Michigan is a prime example of what he brings to the table from the mental perspective. Both he and Dean shined in this aspect of the position.

Walker also is active in the pre-snap phase, and his film is filled with examples of him helping align teammates, calling out formations and checks, and helping the other ten on the field get into the right call. On those occasions, you also saw that athleticism as he flowed to the football, avoided blockers along the way, and had the closing speed to track down the ball-carrier. He would often align in an overhang role in 3Г—1 or even 4Г—1 situations, and showed great feel for those moments. Walker also looks very comfortable playing in space. Strengths:В Walker can impact the game sideline-to-sideline, is explosive when attacking downfield or pressuring the passer, and uses that athletic ability to avoid blocks whether attacking downhill or playing over the top of trash in a crowded box. WalkerвЂ™s most productive game in college came this past year against Florida, where he notched 13 total tackles. Stat to Know:В Rivalry games might be his thing. He recorded 65 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks on the season. Last year Walker was part of one of the more impressive college defenses in recent history, and had his most productive year on campus. During the 2020 campaign, Walker recorded 43 tackles and a sack. He took on more snaps as a sophomore, and finished the 2019 season with 23 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Walker played in all 14 games as a true freshman, largely in a reserve role.

But in February of 2018, he announced he had changed his mind, and decided to stay in-state and play for Kirby Smart at Georgia. As a junior in 2017, he notched 109 tackles and eight sacks, and that led to his initial decision to play for Nick Saban at Alabama. Walker, who can blitz, cover, and play off-ball, should be an excellent complement to DeвЂ™Vondre Campbell, who really defined that defense in 2021.Д«io:В Quay Walker attended Crisp County High School in Cordele, Georgia, and was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

PACKERS WIRE UPGRADE

ThereвЂ™s no doubt the Packers were looking at a receiver here after trading Davante Adams to the Raiders, but the value wasnвЂ™t there after an early run at the position, so Green Bay wisely chooses to upgrade their linebacker corps. With the 22nd pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select Georgia LB Quay Walker.

Packers wire