Prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers traded All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for a first and second round pick. Adams had been franchise tagged by Green Bay previously in the offseason after the two sides could not come to an agreement on a contract extension. However, he informed the organization that he would refuse to play on the tag, and he did not want to sign an extension with them anymore following months of negotiations left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.
The trade created an obvious need for wide receiver on the Packers roster. However, with two first round and two second round picks, fans were expecting Green Bay to target the position early.
The Green Bay Packers Selected Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in the First Round of the 2022 NFL Draft
Indeed, the Packers did take a wide receiver early in the 2022 NFL Draft. They traded up in the second round to take Christian Watson. They had tried to trade up and take him with the final pick in the first round, but the Minnesota Vikings would not trade them that pick.
Green Bay did, however, take linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, both from Georgia’s National Championship defense, in the first round.
Walker was an instant starter with the Packers and has recorded over 100 tackles in each of his first three seasons. That being said, he has drawn a great deal of criticism from fans for his poor run defense and, during his rookie season, hot temper.
Wyatt, meanwhile, has not become a starter for the Packers yet. While he did start five games in 2025 (he played in all 17), he has mostly come off the bench and only played 41% of the defensive snaps last season.
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Wants to Keep Both Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt
The last time Green Bay had to make a decision on picking up a player’s fifth-year option, they declined to do so for former cornerback Eric Stokes. Not only did they decline Stokes’ option, they allowed him to walk in free agency following the 2024 season. He has since signed with the Raiders.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst does not have the same view of Walker and Wyatt than he had of Stokes, however. Whereas the speedy cornerback was often injured and had seen his play decline from year to year, both 2022 first round picks have made some improvements and have been relatively healthy.
On Monday, Green Bay’s general manager informed the media that he intends to pick up both players’ fifth-year options after the 2025 NFL Draft:
Wyatt, while not yet a starting player, has back-to-back seasons with at least 5.0 sacks from the defensive tackle position. With more playing time, he could be even more productive. Walker, along with last year’s second round stud Edgerrin Cooper, could make up the fastest linebacking core in the NFL.
Having both of them around for the long-run is certainly something the front office believes is a good idea.
