The Green Bay Packers drafted 11 players in the 2022 NFL Draft. Several of these players have high expectations coming out of the draft, some more than others. Several veteran members of the Green Bay Packers had high praise for several of the rookies during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Additionally, NFL analysts have seen the film of these early practices and have begun their preseason predictions for several postseason honors. Chad Reuter of NFL.com published two articles in which he predicted what rookies will end up on the Offensive and Defensive All-Rookie Teams. Two Green Bay Packers rookies were selected by Reuter for his All-Rookie Teams: one offensive player and one defensive player.
Offensive All-Rookie Team Selection: Wide Receiver Christian Watson
The Green Bay Packers traded two second round picks to move up in that same round to select Christian Watson with the 34th overall pick. Their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, were the team who traded them the pick. According to multiple reports, the Packers had tried to attain the 32nd over all pick, the final first round pick, to draft Watson. However, the Vikings, who owned the 32nd pick, did not want the Packers to have the ability to use a fifth year option on him.
In any case, Watson eventually was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. The team taking him came with much celebration from fans. Of course, the Packers had to trade two-time All-Pro Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Additionally, Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. In short, wide receiver was a major need for the Packers going into the draft.
After the selection, many expected Watson to be the Davante Adams’ replacement in the Packers’ offense. While he almost certainly will not be an All-Pro right away, he will certainly receive many opportunities to shine. In his article on offensive rookies, Reuter wrote, “I suspect [Watson] and Aaron Rodgers will work the short passing game early on and go for the big shots as the defense allows.”
Defensive All-Rookie Team Selection: Quay Walker
The Green Bay Packers love defensive players from Georgia. Last year, the Packers made cornerback Eric Stokes their first round pick. This year, Green Bay took Quay Walker at pick 22 and Devonte Wyatt at pick 28.
Quay Walker has garnered much praise from coaches and player alike during offseason programs. Walker has admitted that he lost a bit of confidence in his first NFL programs. However, he still has been doing enough to keep observers excited.
In his prediction of the NFL Defensive All-Rookie Team, Reuter wrote:
“The Packers needed a strong inside presence next to All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell. Walker’s ability to stand up to blockers in the run game as well as sprint to the sideline to cover running backs and tight ends, limiting big plays, will solidify the team’s second-level defense. Don’t be surprised if he works in tandem with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith to secure a handful of sacks, too.”
