Packers LB Quay Walker faces an important fourth season this fall. It's the final year of his rookie contract, and the team declined the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick. Green Bay has reportedly expressed interest still in bringing him back beyond this season. But Walker also landed this week on the physically unable to perform list to open camp, with no specific injury reported. That could prove to be no big deal. A player isn't required to spend any specific time on the camp PUP list, so Walker can be activated at any point. But any delay could be problematic, as he has plenty to prove in 2025.
Cory Jennerjohn of Packers site CheeseheadTV: "Watching Walker's tape, there is too much hesitation as opposed to trusting his athletic ability and instincts. He also has been known to overpursue, and he isn't good at seeing misdirection ... Walker is in prove-it mode right now. He has to prove that he will not be caught out of position, make big plays and stop overthinking. The Packers have said that they want him back for 2026, but they don't want the same guy back that makes the same mistakes."
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "Walker has elite range but needs to trust his keys more. He reacts a beat late -- the instincts haven't caught up to the body yet."
Walker: "I just do too much thinking."
I believe in Walker less than Jennerjohn does, perhaps less than the Packers do.
I've been wary since he arrived as a first-round pick in 2022, despite getting outperformed by college teammate Nakobe Dean (a third-round pick by the Eagles that year). Walker's superior athleticism got him drafted early, but his instincts remain lackluster.
Why should we expect that to suddenly change for his fourth NFL season?
Walker should remain a starter and near-full-timer when healthy. But he's also no better than the No. 2 LB on his own team. Green Bay drafted LB Edgerrin Cooper in the second round last year, and he showed out with a starting opportunity midway through the season.
Walker's an OK hold in dynasty for as long as he starts, but he doesn't look like a good long-term bet. Feel free to seize any sell opportunity that may arise.
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