2022 Green Bay Packers Draft Class

The 2022 NFL Draft has end and with it, Green Bay has ushered in 11 new Packers. From potential first year stars to special teams hopefuls, let’s take a look at this very strong Packers draft class.

DAY 1
(22) Quay Walker, LB
(28) Devonte Wyatt, DT

The first round was exactly what everyone expected… Right? With the first 6 wide receivers already off
the board, the Packers decided to solidify their defense with their first two picks. Both coming from the
ever reliable Georgia defense.

Quay Walker is an off the ball linebacker with elite athleticism and speed. While he may take some time
to round out his skills, Walker will be an immediate upgrade to Krys Bars as our second LB. He’ll be able
to play all three downs, using his speed to defend the run sideline to sideline and covering anyone the
Packers ask him to. In 548 career coverage snaps in college, Walker did not allow a single touchdown.

De’Vontae Wyatt will be an asset from day 1. Though it was a bit shocking for the Packers to pick him
with his age (24), you can’t argue with his size and skill. As the PFF top rated interior defensive lineman
in the SEC, Wyatt will be able to use his explosive first step and immense power to win against the run
or pass. It also won’t hurt that he has Kenny Clark to play next to and take the double-teams.

DAY 2
(34) Christian Watson, WR
(92) Sean Rhyan, OL

After using the first two picks on defense, the Packers turned their attention to the offense.

The Packers traded their 53rd and 59th picks to the Minnesota Vikings to move up and draft North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson. After making cheeseheads wait through the entire first round, the Packers finally got their receiver. Watson is a freak of nature. His RAS score is second all time only to HOFer Calvin Johnson. While his numbers aren’t particularly high due to his college team often being up and deploying a run-first offense, he showcased his ability to beat higher level competition at the senior bowl where he was voted hardest to cover in practice. He also has plenty of experience run blocking which we know will be important in LaFleur’s offense.

After a long wait of almost 60 picks, the Packers selected offensive lineman Sean Ryhan out of UCLA
with their lone third round pick. Rhyan started three years at left tackle, but based on his physical traits is
likely to move into the interior line in the NFL. His best assets are his core strength and ability to hold
strong against a power rush. He’ll be in a strong competition for a starting guard spot with the
experience to play some tackle in a (very) close pinch.

DAY 3
(132) Romeo Doubs, WR
(140) Zach Tom, OL
(179) Kingsley Enagbare, DE
(228) Tariq Carpenter, S
(234) Jonathon Ford, DL
(249) Rasheed Walker, OL
(258) Samori Touri, WR

As the later rounds came and went, the Packers doubled back on WR, OL, and DL while also adding a DE
and safety to the squad.

The third day started and ended with wide receivers for the Packers. To start the day, Packers drafted
Romeo Doubs out of Nevada. Doubs is exactly what you would expect in a Lafleur wide-out. He has a
large frame and great speed that he should be able to use to take the top off of the defense. The last
pick for Green Bay was wide receiver Samori Toure out of Nebraska. Also a big and fast receiver, Toure
has all the right tools to develop into the position in the future but should focus on making an impact on
special teams if he wants to make the 53 man roster.

Along with the two more receivers, the packers also drafted two more offensive linemen. With their
compensatory pick from losing Corey Linsley, Green Bay fittingly drafted Zach Tom out of Wake Forest.
During his time there he played both at left tackle and center. Based on his frame I would assume
Packers will look to peg him as the main backup for second year center Josh Myers. The next OL they
took was Penn State’s Rasheed Walker. Walker is a true tackle prospect with quick feet and good
isolated pass protection. Expect him to compete with Yosh Nijman for a backup tackle spot on the
roster.

Perhaps the biggest steal in the Packers draft class would be their lone edge rusher, Kingsley Enagbare.
The South Carolina defensive end was widely believed to be a third round pick with some having him go
as high as the second. He is one of those prospects where you are hoping that the tape is more accurate
than the tests. While he failed to standout at the combine or pro day, PFF has his graded in their top 3
for pass rush and he has proven over four years to be a very effective defender all across the line. Many
compared him to former Packer Za’Darius Smith with his ability to bull rush defenders and win with
power. Enagbare will be valuable asset to give Rashan Gary and Preston Smith breaks and keep the pass
rush fresh for the fourth quarter.

Both of the 7 th round picks not yet mentioned look like they may have came straight from the mouth of
new special teams coach, Rich Bisaccia. Georgia Tech S/LB Tariq Carpenter is the ideal special teams
specimen. He is fast, strong, and he likes to hit. Look for his main impact to come on the coverage
teams. DT Jonathon Ford out of Miami is not your stereotypical Packer prospect with his below average
athletic scores, but the dude is MASSIVE. At 6’5” and 333 pounds, Ford may come in on goal line
defense, but more likely his best route to making the team will be to make sure no one ever blocks a
punt for a touchdown (in a playoff game) again.

Summary
So we didn’t take a first round receiver. But honestly, who cares? This has to be the most fan-friendly
draft I can remember in recent Packer history. Watson has the highest ceiling of any receiver in this draft class. We got some absolute STEALS on day three on both sides of the line. And our defense is as loaded
with talent as I have ever seen it. Take a bow Gutey.

Now we win.

PJ is an Ohio native who was fortunate enough to be born into the green and gold family through his father who grew up in Green Bay. He now resides in NYC where he is an avid fan and fantasy football player. You can follow him on twitter at @PJsPack_.

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