Packers Sign First-Round Picks Walker, Wyatt
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ rookies are gathering on Thursday for the start of rookie minicamp. For Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker, it was an especially meaningful day.
According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, Wyatt – the second of the team’s first-round picks – agreed to terms on his first NFL contract on Thursday morning.
The contracts for draft picks are slotted, so the terms aren’t a surprise: For Wyatt, it’s four years and $12.861 million, which includes a $6.534 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed. There also will be a fifth-year team option that the team can exercise.
Wyatt’s Year 1 cap number will be almost $2.338 million.
Later in the day, the Packers reportedly agrees to terms with their first first-round pick, Georgia linebacker Quay Walker.
The No. 22 overall selection, his four-year deal is worth $13.842 million and include a $7.247 million signing bonus. His contract will be fully guaranteed, as well.
Wyatt not only was the first member of the Packers' draft class to sign, but he was the first first-round pick in the league to sign.
“I’ll be honest with you, man, it’s amazing,” Wyatt said after being drafted. “It’s a blessing. Getting drafted with a teammate and already having teammate that’s already down there, so I’m very happy, I’m very confident. I’m ready to go ball.”
Wyatt started all 24 games during his final two seasons. He was a key part of the national championship defense with 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for losses and two forced fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, there are 80 defensive linemen in this draft class who rushed the passer more than 220 times. Wyatt finished 12th in PFF’s pass-rush productivity, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap.
Among the first phone calls Wyatt received was from standout Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
“I grew up watching Kenny,” Wyatt said. “He was like my No. 1, top-two defensive tackle. Just getting that call from him, I was just happy. I felt welcome already. It’s just an amazing feeling to have that type of caliber of player to call you. Kenny is definitely one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL.”
A first-time starter as a senior, Walker had 1.5 sacks and 5.5 tackle for losses among his 67 tackles. He added the only three passes defensed of his 52-game career. He has elite size and athleticism to pair with De’Vondre Campbell.
