Quay Walker NFL Draft Overview
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 241 pounds
Position: Linebacker
School: Georgia
Quay Walker 2022 NFL Draft Profile
Georgia had the best defense in the nation in 2021. In their 12 regular-season games, the Bulldogs allowed a grand total of 83 points. Quay Walker was an integral part of their success, though he had to wait his turn. As a sophomore and junior, he recorded 66 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. In those two seasons, he was more of a rotational piece within a solid linebacker group. He finally got his shot as a starter as a senior in 2021 and ended up as the fourth-leading tackler on that elite National Championship defense.
As a whole, Walker’s senior year was solid but he really broke out in Georgia’s win over Florida. He ended up with a game-high 13 tackles. With all of the attention focused on his teammates, Walker has flown under the radar despite putting together a very strong 2021 season. He’s currently projected to be the third linebacker off the board, just behind his extremely talented teammate. As a 4-3 MIKE who possesses the athleticism and ability to play WILL, Walker is going to be higher up on many teams’ draft boards.
Strengths
- Extremely athletic, has an impressive range
- Reliable tackler, can deliver a crushing blow or attack with technique
- Triggers downhill to wreck running plays
- Can match up with running backs and tight ends in coverage
- Superb play recognition
- Can mirror running backs and meet them in the hole
Weaknesses
- A bit small for a MIKE linebacker
- Not great speed, can get beat around the edge due to bad angles
- Lackluster blitzer
- Movement can be clunky and has shown a tendency to start flat-footed
- Has resorted to committing penalties when beat in coverage
NFL Comparison: Kenneth Walker
Teams With Need at Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos
Projection: Second Round
Bottom Line on Quay Walker
Overall, Walker is an athletic linebacker who will be drafted due to his high ceiling. He earned a 9.62 RAS and possesses elite traits. NFL scouts will love his ability to play multiple linebacker positions. So even if he is not drafted to be an immediate starter, Walker can serve as a very solid rotational piece as he learns the system and can develop into a good starting linebacker.
Walker will be able to use his athleticism to play multiple linebacker spots but his future may be at the weak side in a 4-3 base defense. He can provide help in the passing game by matching up with running backs and athletic tight ends alike. He is also adept at stopping the run. Walker has shown an ability to recognize the play, crash, and meet the running back in the hole. However, he will need to work on not resorting to committing penalties when beaten.
NFL teams love sure-tackling defenders. Walker is one of the best wrap-up tacklers in the draft. Across his entire Georgia career, Walker only missed seven tackles in 37 games. He is an extremely aggressive and smart defender that will make any defensive coordinator giddy with excitement. Linebacker may not be the most valued position on the defense anymore but the team that selects Walker will have a player they will be very proud to call their own. He seems destined to play for a Broncos or Ravens team with histories of physical linebacker play.
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