On today’s show, Andy takes a closer look at 10 Packers who need to have bounce back seasons in 2024 and play to the level we know they are capable of playing at! Don’t miss it!
The Daily Draft – Packers rookie forecast – Michael Pratt
On today’s show, Ross takes a closer look at how Michael Pratt fits with the Packers and what his projection is as a quarterback in the NFL. Don’t miss it!
Pack-A-Day: Packers OTA recap & observations
GREEN BAY, Wis. — It may not craft the kind of redemption arc that kickstarts back-to-back MVP campaigns for Rasheed Walker, but the drafting of Jordan Morgan made the battle for the Green Bay Packers’ left tackle job that much more interesting.
Walker didn’t respond with animosity or sip a few fingers of scotch to cope. He actually didn’t say a word. The former seventh-round pick who started 17 games last season—playoffs included—protecting Jordan Love’s blindside showed up to the off-season program destined to win back a job that many believed was already his to lose.
“I think he’s come in with the right mindset,” said head coach Matt LaFleur on Wednesday. “‘Sheed didn’t say anything after the draft. He just came in and got to work and that’s what we’re looking for. He’s been a guy that’s been totally locked in and dialed in—it’s amazing to see the growth and maturation from where he was as a rookie to now.”
Hailing from Penn State, Walker essentially redshirted his entire rookie season in the league before being thrown to the wolves last year. David Bakhtiari, the Packers’ former All-Pro left tackle, wasn’t even able to get through the season-opening victory over the Chicago Bears before exiting due to recurring issues with his surgically-repaired knee.
While Bakhtiari spent the remainder of the season on injured reserve after swelling was discovered in the knee, Walker stepped into his role and he didn’t relinquish the reins the rest of the way.
According to Pro Football Focus, Walker logged 515 snaps in pass protection and surrendered six sacks in his time as the starter. For the first half of the season, Love and co. struggled to gain traction en route to a 2-5 record heading into November. Walker was far from the epitome of consistency, but he was a stable presence along the offensive line—and for a second-year player who was 14 picks away from going undrafted, that’s all you can ask for.
Even so, there aren’t any guarantees with the Packers’ left tackle job—at least not in May. Morgan, the No. 25 overall pick, is assuredly going to fill in at one of the Packers’ tackle spots, which would incite some shuffling among their preferred starters. But between now and September, the plan is to cross-train Morgan and that plan is already underway; he was getting reps at left guard during Wednesday’s practice.
Walker has little-to-no professional experience at right tackle, so even if Morgan starts over him on the left side, he may not even be the team’s preferred swing tackle. That backup position is open as well after the Packers allowed Yosh Nijman to walk in unrestricted free agency.
As of right now, it’s left tackle-or-bust for Walker and he wouldn’t be the first seventh-round pick to carve out a successful career in Green Bay as a tackle. Mark Tauscher spent all 11 years of his career with the Packers and started 132 games in total.
“There’s only two ways you can go about it and I think he’s chosen the right way. Ultimately, our job is to continue to bring in as much talent as possible that’s going to make your roster better.
“Competition brings out the best in everybody. I really love how he handles the things he can control which is how you respond to whatever the circumstance is.”
Pack-A-Day: Evaluating the Packers’ biggest weaknesses
On today’s show, Andy takes a look at the biggest weaknesses for the Packers and what they’ll need to overcome if they want to be competing for a Super Bowl in February. Don’t miss it!
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