Green Bay Packers Rasheed Walker Named A Loser of 2024 NFL Draft

One of the needs for the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2024 NFL Draft was the offensive line. The team parted ways with two long-time contributors, as left tackle David Bahktiari was released as a cap casualty and Jon Runyan Jr. signed with the New York Giants in free agency.

Needing some depth in the trenches, the Packers used multiple draft picks to fill out their depth chart. In the first round, the team selected Jordan Morgan out of Arizona. On Day 3, a fifth-round pick was used on Duke center Jacob Monk and a sixth-round pick was used to select Travis Glover out of Georgia State.

General manager Brian Gutekunst certainly accomplished the team’s goal of addressing depth across the offensive line. Alas, with so many additions and only so many spots in the starting lineup and on the roster, there will be some difficult decisions to make.

One of the players whose future is currently up in the air is offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. After playing only four special teams snaps as a rookie in 2022, Walker was thrust into the starting lineup at left tackle in Bakhtiari’s place in 2023.

He helped stabilize the offensive line in the veteran’s absence and performed quite well given the circumstances. Alas, all of the assets dumped into the offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft have led to ESPN staff writer Bill Barnwell naming Rasheed Walker one of the losers of the draft.

“There are several ways this could go. Morgan could kick inside to play right guard and replace Jon Runyan, who signed with the Giants. Right tackle Zach Tom could move to center and take over for Josh Myers, which would open up a starting tackle spot for either Morgan or Walker. The Packers could also keep Myers at center and Tom at right tackle and have a battle between Morgan and Walker for the left tackle spot, one that’s always going to favor a first-round pick over a player who was chosen 249th. Walker proved he can play a year ago, but now, he might have to prove he can beat highly drafted competition,” Barnwell wrote.

The battles for starting spots along the offensive line are going to be worth keeping an eye on for the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff have made it clear the five best players will be in the lineup and on the field.

Who and what alignment they will be in, is anyone’s guess at this point. But, Rasheed Walker will not be handed a starting spot. He will have to earn it and outperform a first-round pick in Morgan who will have an upper hand based on where they were selected in their respective drafts.

This is a good problem for the Green Bay Packers to have, as serviceable depth along the offensive line is key to a successful season. But, it was an unfortunate 2024 NFL Draft for Rasheed Walker, whose starting spot is far from secure.