Key Takeaways:
– Green Bay Packers’ Rasheed Walker is considered an underrated breakout candidate for the 2024 season.
– Walker’s performance has greatly improved and he is now the unquestioned starting left tackle for the Packers.
– Despite the competition from newcomer Jordan Morgan, Walker is poised for a more significant role in the coming season.
– Packers’ decision regarding Walker’s final position rests on team’s training camp outcomes.
News story begins here
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line sees a ray of hope with Rasheed Walker, who jumps into the spotlight as a potential breakout candidate for the 2024 season. Honoring under-recognized talents poised for impressive seasons, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report included Walker on his list, alongside divisional rivals Jared Goff and Jaquan Brisker.
Walker’s Career Progress
“His play improved considerably as the campaign wore on,” Davenport explained. This applaud comes at an opportune time for Walker, who steps into the new season as a recognized starting left tackle, a player critical to the Packers’ pursuit of a deep playoff run. Walker’s journey here finds testament in Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson who ranked the Packers’ offensive line fifth in the NFL.
Walker’s career path has been marked by a distinct crescendo. Initially, coming into the NFL, expectations weren’t towering for him. However, through determined play, Walker has amassed substantial experience as the Packers’ starting left tackle.
Path to Starting Left Tackle
From a high school All-American and 4-star recruit in 2018, Walker had his share of opportunities with major schools like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Georgia. Deciding to stay closer to home, he chose Penn State. Despite not reaching star status, he managed a sturdy four-year tenure with the Nittany Lions, further adorned by consecutive third-team All-Big Ten selections just before he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
His draft story wasn’t glitzy either, with Walker falling to the 249th pick of the seventh round. The Packers eventually drafted him, lowering expectations of his NFL career. The 2023 season, however, turned the tables. When David Bakhtiari bowed out after Week 1, Walker got his big chance, gradually earning higher Pro Football Focus grades as his first full season progressed.
Competition and Future Prospects
Walker will not walk into the 2024 season unchallenged, despite his improved game throughout 2023. With the Packers drafting Jordan Morgan this year, Walker’s starting spot may potentially be in jeopardy.
A three-year starter from Arizona, Morgan steps into the NFL with strong athleticism, despite being slightly undersized for the tackle position. The Packers’ coaching staff may move Morgan to the guard position, but the initial plan is to start him as left tackle in the training camp.
Gaining their reputation for playing their five best linemen, the Packers’ might possibly move Walker to right tackle. Much of this will depend on the findings during training camp. Until then, Walker’s future role remains a puzzle only solved by time and performance.
The Green Bay Packers’ have exciting times ahead, with their underrated breakout candidate Rasheed Walker, who is set to make waves in the 2024 NFL season.