While no Super Bowl-caliber football team wants to rely too much on freshman players, the Green Bay Packers’ 2022 draft class should have a great opportunity to help Matt LaFleur’s team right away. The Packers took three players in the first 34 picks and selected a total of 11 players, and much of the draft class should be given the chance to play immediately.
Who could have the biggest impact?
Rather than ranking the rookies individually, we divided the draft class into three categories based on the potential of impact during the 2022 season.
Opportunity to become an immediate starter
LB Quay Walker† The Packers’ top pick will have to beat Krys Barnes, who has started each of the last two seasons as a linebacker, but Walker will still be the firm favorite to start most games alongside De’Vondre Campbell in 2022. , fast and physical, and the Packers think he will provide the defense with more options to play in packs with two linebackers† Walker could be a tackle machine as a freshman. He is one of the Defensive Rookie of the Year Favouritesso many expect immediate impact.
DL Devonte Wyatt† Wyatt was a dominant player against the Georgia run. During the preparation process, he proved he has the rare athleticism needed to be a disruptive player as a pass rusher. The 24-year-old played a lot of quality football in the SEC and is physically ready to play in the NFL right away. He’ll have to beat veteran Jarran Reed for a base role, but Wyatt is capable.
WR Christian Watson: Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins might just be the favorites to start with recipient, but Watson could easily become a go-to player at some point during his rookie season. He has a rare combination of size, speed and overall athleticism, plus unique versatility that comes from the North Dakota state attack, a willingness to block in running, and the field-stretching skills the Packers need after losing to Marquez Valdes. – Scanling. Chances are, as a rookie, Watson will be playing snaps right away.
OL Sean Rhyan: A left tackle at UCLA, Rhyan could transition into guard as a rookie and prove stiff competition for the runway at right guard. He has an impressive mix of raw power at over 320 pounds and the quick, nimble feet that helped him survive on the edges. The Packers started Week 1 last year with two rookies (Josh Myers, Royce Newman) along the offensive line; Rhyan probably has the best chance of starting straight away in the 2022 draft class.
OL Zach Tom: It would be impossible to rule out Tom’s potential to start after he dominated in two positions (left tackle, center) at Wake Forest. He’s not an ideal size, but Tom used smarts, athleticism and toughness to consistently get the job done no matter where he played or who he played against. Tom stop Jermaine Johnson, a first-round pick from the state of Florida. With a five-position potential and incredible pass-blocking ability, Tom could easily start multiple games as a rookie.
Chance to be a key role player
WR Romeo Doubs† The Packers need one of the rookie receivers to play a key role right away. Why not Doubs, who caught a total of 225 passes and finished with consecutive 1000-meter seasons in Nevada? He was a big machine for Carson Strong. Maybe he could be something akin to Aaron Rodgers as a surprising rookie. The Packers think he’s a… polished player with great advantage.
OLB Kingsley Enagbare: There are a ton of snaps available at edge rusher behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. The Packers gave Enagbare the number 55 uniform, which is fitting because he plays a bit like the late Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith. If he’s impressive at camp, Enagbare could easily play 300-400 snaps in 2022 as a backup to a premium position.
S Tariq Carpenter† The Packers need secure backups to show up at the training camp. The team loves Carpenter’s combination of size and athleticism, and they believe he can play some safety and linebacker. While it’s probably not a good bet to play defense games, he could be an important special teamer in Year 1.
WR Samori Toure: The Montana and Nebraska product surprised people with big plays everywhere he went to college, and he’s ready to fully embrace the special team path to roster this summer.
Long shot to contribute
DL Jonathan Ford: While a huge man (6-5, 338) who played a lot of football in the Miami trenches, Ford is a little redundant for TJ Slaton as a player and is now entering a deep and talented position group in Green Bay. It is possible that he will end up on the practice team or be inactive on a weekly basis in Year 1.
O.T. Rasheed Walker: The former Penn State left tackle is coming from a major knee injury and is in need of a lot of refinement as a blocker entering the NFL. A year on the practice squad or as a deep reserve seems likely.
1
1