The 2022 season proved to be a bit of a rollercoaster for first-round linebacker Quay Walker. Early on in the year, he seemed to struggle identifying plays and playing fast – particularly in the run game. Later on in the season, he appeared to start putting things together. He started operating with more confidence and greater play recognition, especially as a pass defender. Unfortunately, that improvement was overshadowed by several ejections in the latter half of the season.
As Green Bay fans look toward the 2023 season, they’ll be hoping for improvement from Walker in multiple facets of the game. Greater emotional discipline, better play against the run, and improved overall consistency likely headline the obvious tracks of refinement. However, there’s another area where a jump from Walker could be key in improving the defense as a whole.
Improvement as a Pass-Rusher
Walker repeatedly flashed potential as a blitzer, despite some overall rawness. When asked to bring pressure from the second level, Walker showed the athleticism to affect the quarterback. Early in the season, many of those instances came when he was using his speed and explosiveness to win on free runs and beat the occasional running back – such as in this rep from Green Bay’s first matchup with the Lions.
However, as the season went on, Walker’s play started to hint at more advanced capabilities. In several instances, he was able to overwhelm offensive lineman with his quickness and power. Here he uses his speed combined with a chop-bend move to beat the Minnesota guard and draw a holding call.
In this clip from the Packers’ second game against the Lions, he dips and rips through contact, using his leg drive and power to pressure Jared Goff.
Right now, Quay’s pass-rush ability against offensive lineman is more potential than reality. However, if he develops the ability to consistently give offensive lineman trouble, he could become a deadly blitzing threat. What’s more, he could grant the defense new versatility.
Pass-Rush Improvement Could Enhance Defensive Multiplicity
Several times this offseason, Packers coaches have remarked on Quay Walker’s ability to contribute from multiple alignments. At the annual NFL meeting, Matt LaFleur mentioned Walker’s ability to play from the edge. Outside linebackers coach and pass-rush coordinator Jason Rebrovich echoed a similar sentiment a few weeks after LaFleur’s comments.
Quay lined up on the edge at times in 2022, but was almost always used as a coverage dropper.
Using Quay exclusively as a coverage player when he lines up on the edge can only take the defense so far. Without varying his usage, defensive calls could easily become predictable. Offenses would no longer have to account for the rush threat that he poses. This is where a jump as a pass-rusher could unlock new options for the defense. If Walker can consistently threaten offensive lineman, he doesn’t have to operate exclusively as a cover player when aligning on the edge. The defense can be more multiple, and offenses will find it harder to key in on the coverages and pressure paths that Green Bay is using.
Another advantage to pass-rush improvement? When Walker does rush, whether from the edge or second level, increased ability as a pass-rusher could lead to quicker pressure and more frequent defensive success. Multiple times last year, pressure packages failed because the rush couldn’t get home quickly enough to protect the blitz coverage defenders. If Walker can develop legitimate pass-rush chops – a long-arm, side-scissors, or similar move, for example – his presence could make a real difference on pressure calls.
Conclusion
It’s not out of the realm of possibility for Quay Walker to become a real pass-rush threat, even against offensive linemen. He possesses incredible physical tools – he just needs to learn how to harness them fully. Only time will tell if Green Bay’s current staff can pull that type of ability out of him. However, if they can, it could provide a real boost for the defense as a whole.
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