The Green Bay Packers drafted Quay Walker in the first round last year, and he had an up-and-down year. While he looked good at times, he made many rookie mistakes in his play. His rookie season was also marred by a couple of incidents of shoving team personnel which brought into question his maturity. In year two, he looks like a much-improved player on both fronts.

Green Bay Packers Fans React To Quay Walker's Unsportsmanlike Penalty

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Green Bay Packers Quay Walker

Walker has been a tackling machine this season. Through four games, he has 47 tackles, which included a 19-tackle game in Week 4 against the Lions. This leads the team by far, as the next closest is safety Darnell Savage with 29. Out of those 47 tackles, 22 of them are solo tackles, meaning he is wrapping up players in space and likely preventing a big play.

In the game against the Lions, Walker tackled David Montgomery many times just before he was going to break off a big run. While Montgomery still had a big game, Walker limited the damage. Having a stop-gap in the middle of the defense can be a powerful tool in stopping the run and the pass.

Packers Injury Update: Quay Walker is in the concussion protocol - Acme Packing Company

Packers LB Quay Walker (7) – Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Creating Turnovers

In week 1, Walker had a great pick-six against the Chicago Bears. He showed great hands and vision on the return. Throughout this season, he has shown a better nose for the football and has put himself in positions to get interceptions. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has also used him in the pass rush due to his speed.

It is likely that he may pick up a couple of big sacks or even force a fumble or two in the process. With De’Vondre Campbell injured, Walker has gotten a chance to prove that he can be the anchor of a Green Bay defense for years to come. The Packers are hoping for this as they spent the first-round pick on him.

Packers LB Quay Walker (7) – Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Maturity Questions

Last season, there was no excuse for the two mistakes he made. Pushing a Bills coach on the sidelines was not a great look. Shoving a trainer coming out to look at an injured player was downright boneheaded. These types of mistakes could not happen this year. So far, they haven’t. The only move that left fans shaking their heads was the unsportsmanlike conduct for running and jumping over the long snapper on a field goal on Thursday night.

While this is a mistake, it pales in comparison to the two last year. This is a mistake in knowing the rules, something that the coaching staff should be instilling in players. Walker was simply trying to make a play and either didn’t know the rule or forgot. It happens, and it isn’t a big deal moving forward.

Quay Walker has become very fun to watch on the Green Bay Packers defense. If he continues to rack up tackles at this rate, he will be among the league leaders by the end of the season.