What the scouts say about Packers first-rounders, LB Quay Walker and DT Devonte Wyatt
Bob McGinn shares how the NFL views the Green Bay Packers' two first-round picks. As one AFC scout says on Wyatt, “He’s the closest in the draft to Jeffery Simmons.”
(Note: With our heavy number of Packers fans who subscribe, we wanted to pass along the extended scouting reports on their top two picks. Bob’s full nine-part series can be read at GoLongTD.com.)
Quay Walker, a linebacker from Georgia, was the Green Bay Packers’ selection with the 22nd pick of the NFL draft.
QUAY WALKER, LB, Georgia
Height: 6-3 ½.
Weight: 242.
40: 4.52
Wonderlic: 9.
Hometown: Cordele, Ga.
Fact/stat: Fourth-year senior … Started 17 of 52 games, including 15 in 2021 … Finished with 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions.
What NFL scouts told me about him before the draft…
NFC scout: “I trust this kid. He played inside off the ball. He’s big but he moves liken a smaller guy. He’s got good range. He’ll strike you. He’ll be a mike. He’ll be able to match guys athletically in coverage. People didn’t think he’d run as well as he did. It’s hard to find those ones that are that big still and can run like that … Maybe not Year 1 (run the show) but you can get him caught up to speed where he can be functional. I don’t hear anything that says he can’t.”
AFC scout: “He might be more of an outside backer in a 3-4. He’s not super instinctive and reactive as an off-the-line player, but once he sees it he can absolutely fly. He’s a height-weight-speed prospect with questionable instincts. He was a rotational kind of guy at Georgia. Is he a great player? I wouldn’t go that far. If he was there in the second round I’d say go ahead and do it. You’re not going to miss on the athlete or the height-weight-speed numbers. If you miss it would be his (instincts). He can’t be the green dot.”
NFC scout: “I didn’t see much there. All those other guys (at Georgia) go 100 miles an hour. He looks like he’s going about 60. Not a great athlete. Not very physical. Not very productive. He moved around to different spots. They used him (to cover) but I don’t think he’s very good. He’s very similar to Lorenzo Carter (Giants) who came out of there a few years ago (2018). Something’s missing with him.”
AFC scout: “He probably wouldn’t wear the green dot.”
AFC scout: “Really like him. He plays in a rotation but he has the traits to be a good starting player.”
AFC scout: “Good size and athletic. Best on a straight line. Good tackler. Lacks instincts in the run and the pass. It’d be a concern if he’s on the field full-time.”
AFC scout: “Very quiet and keeps to himself. Not a bad kid but poor communicator at times and emotional. Can be hard to deal with outside of football. Off-ball linebacker not completely natural to him. Able to learn the defense. Not a leader. Instincts slow him down some. Is at his best when he can just chase and hit.”
NFC scout: “I think they (his instincts) suck. But the guy can run. He’s going in the first round. In the 20’s, guys are going to take a shot on him. He’s a good kid. No instincts. No way (he can wear green dot).”
AFC scout: “Tested out well. He was more athlete than player. He was a defensive end out of high school. Big, athletic and fast. Has twitch and speed. Very good lateral pursuit speed. He’s physical taking on blocks. Needs to have a better blitz plan. He just kind of runs straight ahead. Reacted better to routes in front of him than in zone. I wasn’t sure how instinctive he is or what he’s seeing at times. Flashes a quick trigger but will take false steps or pause to read at times. Played on special teams but didn’t jump off the film. Second or third round. Too big and fast not to go on Day 2. He’s athletic and fast enough to play will. I don’t know if you’d want to have him as your mike. He’s the third of three (linebackers) from Georgia. He is an athlete.”
AFC scout: “Like him. He plays the run. Steps up and fills. He took people on more than (Nakobe) Dean whereas Dean was the guy out in space.”
AFC scout: “He’s green. Only started for one year. Can’t run the defense. He can play on all three downs. He’s big and tall and can run. He’s better than (Patrick) Queen.”
AFC scout: “He can run. Strong, good range. Solid vs. the run and the pass. Not a great blitzer. Could probably play all three spots. Second round.”
Devonte Wyatt, a defensive tackle from Georgia, was the Packers’ selection with the 28th pick of the first round.
DEVONTE WYATT, DT, Georgia
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 309.
40: 4.79.
Wonderlic: 8.
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
Fact/stat: Fifth-year senior … After one season of junior college, he played off the bench in 2018-’19 before starting at 3-technique in 2020-’21 … Had 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles in his career.
AFC scout: “He’s a 3-technique penetrator. He’s a really good player. I see him as a late one, early two. He’s an athletic 3-technique. He’s got some strength at the point of attack and interior gap quickness. He will hustle to the ball. He’s a little bit of a screw-up but he loves football. He’s a better fit for a 4-3 team than a 3-4.”
NFC scout: “He’s a twitched-up guy. He’s a guy that got overshadowed for the most part at Georgia. What you saw at the combine, he moves like that for real. You saw flashes in college. He has huge upside as a pass rusher, and you know he can play the run because that’s what they do (at Georgia).”
AFC scout: “I think he’s got a chance to do that (be an outstanding pass rusher).”
NFC scout: “He makes a mess in there. Doesn’t have much talent but guy plays his ass off. He’s smart. Got technique. He’ll get crushed but he keeps coming. The scheme helps him. Not a pass rusher by any stretch. Energy tough guy. Second round.”
AFC scout: “He’s pretty well-rounded. He can rush and is a great athlete.”
NFC scout: “He has the potential to be a three-down guy. He really tested well even though his production numbers didn’t (match). I don’t know if he the potential to be the next Danielle Hunter of the world in that he didn’t have a lot of production coming out but was so unique athletically. He has some in-line pass rush ability. Three-technique.”
AFC scout: “I’d take (Jordan) Davis. They lined (Wyatt) up all over the line. Has quickness, agility. He’ll show you an explosive first step to engage and penetrate. He improved his hand use as a pass rusher as the 2021 season progressed. He has a knack for getting his hands up in passing lanes and batting the ball down. Potential starting defensive tackle. Three-technique projection. Can he continue to develop as an interior rusher?”
NFC scout: “He’s a f---up so he may slide but he is talented. He’s not as big as Gerald McCoy. He’s got more movement than Kenny Clark. A little bigger than Tommie Harris but he’s got lateral movement and explosiveness like that. Good player. I’m still working through his off-the-field. Domestic violence. (Wyatt was charged with three misdemeanors in a domestic incident in 2020 but charges were dropped) … Holy f---, is he talented. He can do whatever he wants. I rated him higher than (Jordan) Davis. He’s not as stout. More athletic.”
AFC scout: “Struggles to learn. Aptitude concerns are real. Surprised the staff with knowledge of the defense. Accountable, on time, shows some leadership. Best fit is as a 4-3 3-technique where he can use his athletic ability and hide his small frame more. Not a fit for 3-4 teams. Wasn’t in the shape he needed to be in (2020). Got his weight back down (in 2021).”
AFC scout: “He’s the closest in the draft to Jeffery Simmons.”
NFC scout: “He is a better player than Davis.”
AFC scout: “He’d be good for a team that features a 3-technique playing in the gaps. That would be close to ideal for his system fit. It would allow him to play upfield, get off the ball. That’s who he is.”
AFC scout: “He’s not a wow like (DeMarvin) Leal but he’s really good at everything. He’s really stout, very strong, can hold a double, dominate a single. There has been some underachiever to him over the course of his career. May have had a senior epiphany … He could play both interior spots. He’s strong, athletic. He can bend. Good with his hands. You want him to finish better but there were times he was almost unblockable, and he wasn’t playing against The Little Sisters of the Poor.”
AFC scout: “He’s a little bit of a turd but he’s got more upside than Davis. He’s good; the really good one there is still there. Jalen Carter. He’s the best player on their team.”
NFC scout: “Explosive, powerful. He can easily handle single blocks and block-backs by offensive linemen. Good instincts to shock and shed. Good plant and change direction. Has acceleration in chase. Not as big or explosive as Davis but much more twitch. Strong at the point. He can run.”
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Thanks for reading everyone. Going to do a podcast with Bob this week where he will explain more in-depth the value of hearing from these scouts.
These scouting reports get personal. These guys could find red flags with Saint Francis of Assisi. “Can’t were the green dot”. New insult for my friends.