Rasheed Walker Quietly Having a Great Training Camp for the Packers
By GilMartin
Before training camp started, the Packers were unsure whether Rasheed Walker would be the team’s starting left tackle. But the Penn State alum has enjoyed a strong training camp and has left no doubt that he will be protecting Jordan Love’s blind side once the season begins on September 6th.
Walker didn’t take the typical path to becoming the Packers starting left tackle. He was considered one of the best tackle prospects in the country before his final season in college. Unfortunately, Walker struggled that year and went from a potential first round pick to a seventh-round selection, 249th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Suddenly, scouts were questioning his work ethic and his attention to detail. They questioned whether he’d ever make it in the NFL.
In his rookie year, Walker barely saw the field. He played in exactly one game and took four snaps on special teams. There were no indications that he was ready for a larger role in the offense.
But in 2023, Walker took a big step forward. He looked much more confident in training camp and showed better technique. When David Bakhtiari was shut down for the season after Week 1, Walker stepped in and started at left tackle.
The first half of the season was a bit of a struggle for Walker. His biggest issue came on power moves to the inside. He had issues with his footwork and hand placement that caused him to lose his balance and leverage at times and get beaten on that move.
At mid-season, the Packers benched Walker for a game and started Yosh Nijman in his stead. But a week later, Walker was back in the starting lineup and his play improved greatly after that.
In the second half of the year, Walker graded out very well. His pass blocking was stronger than his run blocking according to Pro Football Focus. In the late season and in the playoffs, he prevented some very talented edge rushers from getting to Love.
“I would say I’m a lot more confident than when I first started. [I’m] more decisive, being able to play faster. You just have to be locked in every play,” Walker said. “It’s all really about preparation and confidence. As long as you prepare the right way, go into a game confident and have a short-term memory while playing, you’ll put yourself in a good position. That’s how I go about it: staying focused, being consistent with my preparation and ignore the good plays and ignore the bad plays. Just be good every play.”
But in the offseason, the Packers selected Jordan Morgan in the first round of the draft. While most scouts viewed Morgan as a guard, GM Brian Gutekunst said the team would try him at tackle first. His college position was left tackle, the same position Walker plays.
But from the start of OTAs, Walker has proven he is the best candidate to protect Love’s blind side. Instead of sulking or being bitter about the selection of Morgan, Walker just went out and did his job. It showed on the practice field. Almost every day in practice, Walker has been not just good, but dominant.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised Walker before Thursday’s joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens. “He truly loves the process, and he grinds at it,” LaFleur said. “I think he’s starting to pick up the detail that really starts to separate some of the players in this league. So, I’m excited to see where he goes this year. I think he’s got a high ceiling.”
Can Walker reach that high ceiling? Can he take a step forward and become an elite pass blocker and strong run blocker like his predecessor, Bakhtiari? The quest to take the next step forward beings in Brazil on September 6th. But thus far, Walker has done things the right way and has made steady progress towards becoming a quality NFL left tackle.
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Comments (28)
Hieronymus
August 24, 2024 at 01:09 pm
Targeting guys later in the draft who were good but struggled as seniors is a bit of a theme lately for the Packers and it is working pretty well. Wicks. Walker. We will hope King works out as well.
GilMartin
August 24, 2024 at 01:16 pm
It's worked pretty well. Pulling for King. As a strategy, it's low risk, high reward, so I like it. Thanks for the comment.
Leatherhead
August 24, 2024 at 02:13 pm
That year in the draft, the Packers took Sean Rhyan at #92,Zach Tom at #140, and Rasheed Walker at #249. They also started the projects with the mammoth tackles and hoping to get a UDFA who could play.
It looks to me like we might have two good starters in Tom and Walker for the next two years. Rhyan is at least a backup. I'm not sure the experiment with the tall tackles is going to work. And I still don't understand why we spent #25 on a Right Guard.
LLCHESTY
August 24, 2024 at 02:30 pm
They wanted competition there but fortunately Walker worked hard this off-season and came in poised and prepared to keep his job. Either way they needed more depth at T and got some.
It's ok to admit you're wrong BTW.
Leatherhead
August 24, 2024 at 02:42 pm
I never thought the Packers would spent #25 on a RG. I was wrong about that.
TKWorldWide
August 24, 2024 at 03:23 pm
I think their plan was to improve the O-line through more competition.
Oppy
August 24, 2024 at 09:58 pm
What if he turns out to be an all-pro Right Guard who can also turn in pro bowl level Tackle play in a pinch?
Great talent is great talent. The idea that you've squandered a high pick because of the position you used on it is silly. When I was younger, top 5 picks were regularly used on RBs. Today, that would be considered a horrendous waste of a pick. It's silly.
Does a player improve your team? That's all that really matters. There was a point in time where rookie contracts were out of control, and that really does limit what position you should consider spending 1st round picks on- but that situation has been corrected. Take the player you like, take the player you need. If it's a guard or a tackle doesn't make a difference to me. If you think you're getting the best player for your team, pull the trigger, don't look back, and ignore the objections from the rogue's gallery about what position you should or shouldn't use a high pick on. It's all noise and meaningless.
Leatherhead
August 25, 2024 at 09:19 pm
Oppy, when was the last time the Packers used a pick as high as #25 on a RG?? Mandarich?? Certainly not since the modern era of free agency and salary caps.
Did we get the best player we could have taken at #25? I'll be curious to see how Tyler Guyton and Graham Barton play this year, since both play a more important position that right guard
Order ofBattle: LT, C, RT, LG, RG. We used our #25 on a RG. That's never been done before, by the Packers, in my memory. I'd like to say The Plan is to transition him to LT when we lose Walker to FA, but I'm so confused by what the Packers have done that I'm not sure.
Oppy
August 25, 2024 at 09:36 pm
"when was the last time the Packers used a pick as high as #25 on a RG?"
What has transpired in the past has absolutely zero to do with anything.
How you set the priority of the line positions has zero to do with anything, either. If the Packers feel they're set at Tackle (which they might), and they feel they have a weakness to RG (which they might), AND they feel like Morgan gives them a player that could instantly upgrade a position of relative weakness into a strength (Which he might), doesn't it make sense to make that pick?
If the Packers are feeling good about Walker- a guy I believe you have heralded in the recent past- then maybe spending their first on another tackle doesn't make the most sense- to get a slight improvement (maybe) at the LT position but leave a weakness at RG. Barton is a guy I could see having been a good choice to upgrade another position of relative weakness (in my opinion), but perhaps the Packers don't think Barton can play anywhere but Center, and perhaps they feel Morgan can play almost anywhere on the line.
Why do you think the Packers lose Walker to FA? That's a strange take. If he plays well, I assume they'll make efforts to keep him.
Leatherhead
August 25, 2024 at 09:48 pm
Why do I think we'll lose Walker? Math. We're going to have some contracts coming up in two years....Walker, Tom, Rhyan, Doubs, Watson. You just can't afford to pay everybody, and the Packer are going to have to decide who that's going to be. Jenkins is getting paid; everybody else is rookie deal. In two years, Jenkins is going to have a huge cap hit, while we simultaneously deal with Tom, Walker, Rhyan, (and Doubs and Watson). So I believe that if we keep Walker, we'll lose Tom, or vice-versa. Same with Watson/Doubs.
If the priority of the line positions has nothing to do with it, how do you explain the fact that the best college offensive linemen are LTs? Do you agree with the people who think LT is the 2nd most important position on offense? It's certainly the most important Oline position. And I can tell you, that's where you start building your line. Jenkins,Tom, a
In less than 30 years, we've gone from our GM, Ron Wolf, saying "I can get a right guard anywhere" to our current GM using #25 on one. I'm going to need a moment to process that.
Personally, I'd have lined up Morgan at LT and Walker at RT (while Tom is out). I'd rotate Walker and Morgan in the early part of the season, and by mid-season I should have a 3 tackle group that's good to go.
Bitternotsour
August 25, 2024 at 10:08 pm
you're awfully worked up over a guy playing somewhere you didn't think he'd line up. calm yourself. would you rather he wound up as a back-up tackle?
also, though you hate Newman, he earned his spot. let it go.
getting overly concerned over whether a person will be retained in 2 years is also a fools errand. why is that something worth thinking about. if they don't get second contracts in green bay, then someone else will be playing there. I assure you the packers will still be lining up 11 on both sides of the ball. sheesh.
GregC
August 26, 2024 at 05:25 am
"Order of Battle: LT, C, RT, LG, RG."
If your ranking of OL positions is accurate, the entire league is insane. Have you looked at the average salaries for offensive linemen by position? The tackles are by far the highest paid--not just the LT, but both of them. Next are the guards. The centers are last. LT is still the highest paid position, but RT is not far behind. That's because lots of teams now line up their best pass rusher on the RT's side of the line.
After the tackles, the three interior positions are of roughly equal value, with center being a little less, probably because they don't work in space as often as guards do, so their movement skills don't need to be as highly developed. That's just a guess. Regardless of the reason, the money doesn't lie.
You are really splitting hairs distinguishing between the importance of LG and RG. The LG is on a right-handed QB's blind side, but because guards are not out on the edge like tackles, it's not as big a deal. Jerry Kramer played right guard, and I'm sure there have been lots of great right guards in the NFL over the years. I never hear anyone except you claim there is a big difference in the importance of the two positions.
I know you are ranking centers higher than everyone except LT because centers make calls at the line of scrimmage based on how the defense is lined up. But I don't think it requires any special talent to do that. If it did, the best centers would make a lot more money than they do.
Guam
August 25, 2024 at 06:59 am
I'm not sure the Packers were necessarily picking a RG. I think they were picking the best O-lineman available at #25 and fulfilling a significant need. The Packers had lost Bahk, Nijman and Runyon from last year and O-line replacements were crucial. Picking the best player available at an area of need is never a bad plan. What position he finally winds up playing is not really material - they got a quality player in an area where they needed one.
Leatherhead
August 25, 2024 at 09:26 pm
I would like to argue with that. But I can't.
When you see a 6th rounder like Runyan sign a $30M deal, I don't see how you make it work unless you add TWO good Olinemen in the draft every year.
We'll lose Myers this year, then next year it'll be Tom and Walker and Rhyan (along with Watson and Doubs) I'm assuming we'll lose Rhyan and either Tom of Walker. So you have to keep getting Oline talent in the draft, because nothing good happens on offense without blocking.
stockholder
August 24, 2024 at 02:16 pm
Never doubted Walker would be the LT.
He did a great job in the playoffs.
WD
August 24, 2024 at 03:15 pm
Walker played well last year. I see some good depth as well. In all honesty after watching the second half of today's game the O lineman that impressed me the most was Caleb Jones. On one play he pancaked his opponent on a running play; then hustled down field and pancaked another to the ground! I don't understand why he is not competing for a starting role. Ironically. I guess some some feel he is too big? On short yard plays he should be used as a sixth linemen at the least. No one pushes him around, He pushes them. He seems so underrated. Are people watching the film?
mnbadger
August 24, 2024 at 07:12 pm
I think he has slow feet.
he's good if he's able to get engaged but speed gets around him and power beats him when he gets too high.
gpg
Oppy
August 25, 2024 at 11:00 am
His pass protection is what keeps him relegated to a depth position as opposed to vying for a starting spot at this point- as mnbadger pointed out, he didn't come into the league having all the tools a starting tackle needs. He's raw. He went undrafted for a reason, but he's been in development for two years and has had time to build strength and improve technique, which I think he has. Take it for what it's worth, but here is a blurb summary from Sports Illustrated on Caleb Jones prior to the 2022 draft:
"Caleb Jones projects to be a developmental prospect that will likely be a practice squad player early on. He wins with his size, length, and processing in pass protection. He lacks strong athletic ability, core strength, and balance that you look for in the position. Lack of consistent footwork and leverage also get him into trouble."
I like Caleb and after last week's preseason game I came out calling for him to be used as a 6th lineman- (declare him as an eligible receiver and line him up tight to the RT just a half step off the LOS)- so I'm 100% with you on that. If he doesn't make the 53, I would love to see him on the PS, regardless. There's long term potential there, and he seems to be a genuinely high character man.
I don't know that I'd call him underrated. He is a work in progress. I think he's worth while work in progress, though.
Leatherhead
August 25, 2024 at 09:28 pm
You don't see many 6'9" tackles. There has to be a reason why.
I hope Caleb makes the 53, and if active for a game, use him as the 3rd TE on short yardage.
TKWorldWide
August 24, 2024 at 03:24 pm
Bakhtiari in the 4th, Walker in the 7th, GB knows how to find/develop LT’s.
Oppy
August 25, 2024 at 11:05 am
Don't just limit it to LT's. Don't forget about Mark Tauscher in the 7th @ RT. Absolute legend.
Leatherhead
August 25, 2024 at 09:30 pm
A super under rated guy. Rarely missed games. Got his man blocked.
On the final game of the season, Michael Strahan need a sack to set the record. Tauscher didn't give up squat, but finally Favre let Strahan get the record setter. I've often wondered about how Tauscher felt about that. The story line should have read "Mark Tauscher keeps Strahan from record".
LambeauPlain
August 24, 2024 at 03:47 pm
Team Gutey has been adept at selecting players who displayed great talent the year before they declared for the draft, and had subpar seasons the following season. Potential high rounders probably wishing they had not returned for another college season:
Wicks, the two PN Staters, Walker & King.
For Wicks and Walker, they have earned NFL careers...King looks like a keeper too. Today he played like a rookie, glaring mistakes then stellar play. I am not sure he would make the PS. Did Rochelle play today?
GregC
August 24, 2024 at 08:24 pm
Why do we have to keep looking at the same dumb picture of Rasheed Walker? Aren't there any other pictures of this guy available? How about an action shot?
Ryan Wood had an article about Walker in packers news.com yesterday in which it was revealed that Walker was playing on a bad knee during much of his last season in college. Brian Gutekunst said that's why Walker's draft stock fell so much. I don't recall ever hearing that before. Instead I've always heard, as in this article, that people were questioning his work ethic. Maybe that's because they were unaware that he was playing with an injury that eventually forced him to shut down his season before it was over. He was an excellent college OT before the injury, and now, after a period of adjustment, he is a very good NFL OT.
Oppy
August 25, 2024 at 09:43 pm
You are illustrating why professional NFL talent evaluators get paid to be professional NFL talent evaluators, and why so much of the draftnik community is far more clueless than they'd like to believe.
Insider information is a real thing. Player health is often a closely guarded secret (by both teams and players) for obvious reasons. Personal relationships between scouts and various collegiate team personnel- coaches, players, training staff, etc- yield meaningful information that the general public will never have access to and helps the pros make more informed decisions.
It's still a crap shoot, but those NFL scouting departments are entrenched in the NCAA conference regions and have real contacts and relationships with real data that people on the outside just don't have access to.
Turophile
August 25, 2024 at 09:18 am
Quote: (GilMartin) "While most scouts viewed Morgan as a guard, GM Brian Gutekunst said the team would try him at tackle first. His college position was left tackle, the same position Walker plays."
I don't believe most scouts thought of Morgan as a guard. I believe this idea is a knee-jerk response to his arms being 1/8th shorter than 33". his wingspan is 81 3/8" which is enough to play tackle, even more so if you have good hands and can anchor. Sure some scouts considered guard, but I didn't hear of any that doubted he could play tackle.
If you look at the athleticism, the movement skills in space, the tape from his college days, it all says Tackle is fine. Now I know he is playing right guard at the moment for the Packers, but if Walker had slipped at all he (Morgan) would be at LT getting snaps. Just because Morgan might play RG this year does not mean he will never play tackle. It's about getting the best 5 out there on the line, as LaFleur likes to say.
The overall picture gets muddied a bit because of how often the Packers draft a tackle with the idea of playing him at guard (or even center). In this case i believe Gute's thinking was to give them a guy who could do either and let the coaches sort out where he could fit in best (both this year and in the future).
Oppy
August 25, 2024 at 12:34 pm
For what it's worth, total wingspan < arm length in terms of utilization for a tackle.
You can have two tackles with identical wingspans, but the tackle with a narrower shoulder-to-shoulder frame (and hence, longer arms) will have a competitive advantage over the the tackle with a wider frame and shorter arms. It's all about how far you can reach out in front of you to keep the defender/pass rusher from getting his hands into your chest.
Just noting the differences between wingspan and arm length. I agree with pretty much everything you've laid out here about Morgan.
GregC
August 25, 2024 at 04:18 pm
I don't know what your sources are. I hardly ever hear any opinions from scouts. They are paid by teams and don't often reveal their secrets. I read a lot of player ratings before the draft, and almost every one of them said that Morgan projected more as a guard than a tackle in the NFL. Short arms matter. There are exceptions, but not many. I looked and could find only two NFL OTs with arms as short as Morgan's. One of them plays for the Colts and is actually very good. The other plays for the Steelers, and I think he is average to below average.
I agree with you that Morgan may be able to play tackle someday. I'm just not sure how likely that is. Like Elgton Jenkins, he may be a guard who can play tackle if there is an injury.