The Green Bay Packers’ defense has been much maligned this season. But one bright spot must be the play of rookie Quay Walker. While he has struggled at times in his first year in the league, Walker, a first-round choice (22nd pick) of the Packers from Georgia in the 2022 draft, has been putting up some impressive defensive numbers.
Walker leads the team in combined tackles with 93, 22 more than Adrian Amos who is second on the list. Walker’s 56 solo tackles and 37 assists are also first on the Packers’ team. His two forced fumbles is also a team high. He has 31 combined tackles in his last three games, the best three-game stretch for Walker this season.
Quay Walker among top NFL and Packers rookie defenders
Quay’s 93 combined tackles are also first among all NFL rookies this season as are his solo and assist totals. His four tackles for loss are tied for fifth among first-year players in the NFL this season.
With 93 combined tackles in 12 games this season, Walker is on pace for 132 for the season with five games remaining. That would break the Packers’ record for most combined tackles by a rookie. A.J. Hawk had 121 combined tackles in 2006, the Packers’ rookie record in that stat. Walker’s 93 combined tackles already has him in third place on the Packers’ rookie single-season record.
Most combined tackles by Green Bay rookies
Here are the seven players who have 70 or more combined tackles in their first season with the Packers.
121-A.J. Hawk, 2006
112-Nick Barnett, 2003
93-Quay Walker, 2022
92-Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, 2014
86-Nick Collins, 2005
80-Krys Barnes, 2020
70-Josh Jones, 2017
Walker’s 56 solo tackles rank him seventh on the Packers’ rookie list, while his 37 assists are tied for the most by a Packers’ rookie.
Among all defensive players in the NFL this season, Walker’s 93 combined tackles place him tied for 12th in the league. Jordyn Brooks, a linebacker with Seattle, tops the league with 122 combined tackles in 2022. Walker is the only Green Bay defensive player in the Top 50 of combined tackles. Safety Adrian Amos is tied for 51st place on the list with 71 combined tackles.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Statsontapp and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content.
