Preseason Overreactions: Quay Walker is the next great Packers linebacker

I’ve seen all I need to see. Retire the No. 7 and send his jersey to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio….I’m kidding, or am I? Quay Walker turned some heads and raised some question marks from a lot of fans when the Green Bay Packers took him as the No. 22 pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The six-foot-four, 240-pound linebacker was a DAWG literally and figuratively in college. Walker starred for the Georgia Bulldogs 2021 National Championship squad.

Additionally, the senior from Cordele, Georgia by way of Crisp County High School had 67 total tackles with 5.5 of them being tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last season. His specialty was lining up as an edge rusher and putting pressure on the quarterback. During the season, he had 24 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups last season. The Bulldogs had the No. 2 defense in the nation last year according to ncaa.com (Wisconsin was No.1). Walker’s 67 tackles was tied with Channing Tindall (Dolphins 3rd rounder) for the third highest amount on the team. Additionally, the two guys ahead of them, Lewis Cine (Vikings) and Nakobe Dean (Eagles) both got drafted as well. That’s how good this defense was. Comparatively, what does Walker bring to the Packers?

SPEED

Quay Walker matches with the RB and immediately tackles him pic.twitter.com/wW9jScsoE8

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 26, 2022

Firstly, As is evident in this clip from the Packers third preseason game, Walker can fly. Not many linebackers can line up one-on-one with a running back, stay with him the whole way, and make the solo tackle. This is not your average running back either, Jerick McKinnon was clocked at a 4.41 40-yard dash coming out of college. Walker was clocked at a 4.52 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He will be able to chase down a lot of fast running backs in the NFL.

Physicality

The Dawgs are HITTING 😤 @GeorgiaFootball #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/AdFglskirk

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 1, 2022

Secondly, P.O.D. released the song “Boom” in 2002, Walker was only two years old at the time, but the song was about him. He brings the “Boom” on every single play from scrimmage. He will lay you out any chance he gets. As evidenced in this clip, J.J. McCarthy never stood a chance against Walker. Those kinds of plays are an every-game thing for him. Walker will be a fun linebacker to watch this season for Green Bay and I can’t wait to watch him win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In Conclusion

Lastly, Walker WILL be one of the best linebackers in Lambeau history. I am willing to accept that I am overreacting, but I want to see the best from Quay Walker and the best from the Packers this year. I think the Packers can win the Super Bowl this year. (If we fix the special teams woes). Here’s to three MVPs in a row for Aaron Rodgers and the first Super Bowl win since 2010. It’s time to get excited about Quay Walker. Go Packers.