Raiders Sign LB Quay Walker

[JRaider17]

[CWood24]

I wonder if we play him on the outside although he has played in the middle he has the athleticism needed to lineup on the outside in a 3-4

Paye & Walker on the side would mean we aint gonna be giving up those big sweep plays cause they are dogs against the run

Wouldnt mind drafting Jacob Rodriguez & lining up with Paye, Dean, Rodriguez & Walker as our starting lb group

[KillerRaider30]

Quay Walker played in both the 34 and 43 systems during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, as the team underwent a significant schematic shift during his career:

3-4 Defense (2022–2023): Under defensive coordinator Joe Barry, Walker played as an inside linebacker in a base 3-4 system. This was the scheme he played in during his standout rookie season.

4-3 Defense (2024–2025): When Jeff Hafley replaced Barry in 2024, the Packers switched to a 4-3 base personnel. In this system, Walker transitioned to an off-ball linebacker role, often playing on the weak side (Will) to utilize his speed.

Quay Walker’s PFF coverage grades have fluctuated, with a notable dip in the 2025 season where he earned a 44.9 coverage grade. While showing potential as a rookie (70.8 PFF grade), his coverage performance has been inconsistent, often struggling in pass defense in recent seasons, including a 39.3 grade in a 2026 playoff game.

(2023-2025):
2025 Season: 44.9 PFF coverage grade (70th out of 88 linebackers).

2025 (Early Season): Struggled to start the season, allowing high completion rates and a 91.5 passer rating when targeted.

2023 Season: Experienced a dip in performance, with a 52.4 coverage grade.

Rookie Season (2022): Had a 70.8 PFF coverage grade, ranking among the better rookie linebackers at the time.

Walker has been criticized for being a "liability" in coverage despite his athletic ability, often allowing high passer ratings to opposing quarterbacks

Why did his score drop after 2022?
Walker’s PFF grade decline after his rookie season is attributed to a combination of inconsistent coverage instincts, injuries, and a transition into a more demanding "green dot" leadership role that exposed his developmental weaknesses.

Primary Reasons for Grade Decline
Mental Processing & Role Change:

As a rookie, Walker functioned as an instinctive "chaser". In subsequent seasons, particularly 2024 and 2025, he was tasked with wearing the "green dot" helmet to call defensive plays. Analysts noted he struggled when he had to "think too much" rather than play instinctively, leading to a drop in performance.

Mid-Season Injuries: In 2023, injuries around the midpoint of the season (missing weeks 9, 10, and 14) coincided with a massive statistical dip.
His PFF grade fell from a strong 68.7 in the first half of the season to 44.6 in the second half.

Regression in Coverage:
While his rookie coverage grade was a strength (70.8), he became a target for opposing offenses in later years.

[WNYRAIDER]

Quay Walker played in both the 34 and 43 systems during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, as the team underwent a significant schematic shift during his career:

3-4 Defense (2022–2023): Under defensive coordinator Joe Barry, Walker played as an inside linebacker in a base 3-4 system. This was the scheme he played in during his standout rookie season.

4-3 Defense (2024–2025): When Jeff Hafley replaced Barry in 2024, the Packers switched to a 4-3 base personnel. In this system, Walker transitioned to an off-ball linebacker role, often playing on the weak side (Will) to utilize his speed.

Quay Walker’s PFF coverage grades have fluctuated, with a notable dip in the 2025 season where he earned a 44.9 coverage grade. While showing potential as a rookie (70.8 PFF grade), his coverage performance has been inconsistent, often struggling in pass defense in recent seasons, including a 39.3 grade in a 2026 playoff game.

(2023-2025):
2025 Season: 44.9 PFF coverage grade (70th out of 88 linebackers).

2025 (Early Season): Struggled to start the season, allowing high completion rates and a 91.5 passer rating when targeted.

...good insight...

2023 Season: Experienced a dip in performance, with a 52.4 coverage grade.

Rookie Season (2022): Had a 70.8 PFF coverage grade, ranking among the better rookie linebackers at the time.

Walker has been criticized for being a "liability" in coverage despite his athletic ability, often allowing high passer ratings to opposing quarterbacks

Why did his score drop after 2022?
Walker’s PFF grade decline after his rookie season is attributed to a combination of inconsistent coverage instincts, injuries, and a transition into a more demanding "green dot" leadership role that exposed his developmental weaknesses.

Primary Reasons for Grade Decline
Mental Processing & Role Change:

As a rookie, Walker functioned as an instinctive "chaser". In subsequent seasons, particularly 2024 and 2025, he was tasked with wearing the "green dot" helmet to call defensive plays. Analysts noted he struggled when he had to "think too much" rather than play instinctively, leading to a drop in performance.

Mid-Season Injuries: In 2023, injuries around the midpoint of the season (missing weeks 9, 10, and 14) coincided with a massive statistical dip. His PFF grade fell from a strong 68.7 in the first half of the season to 44.6 in the second half.

Regression in Coverage: While his rookie coverage grade was a strength (70.8), he became a target for opposing offenses in later years.

By 2025, he permitted 653 yards when targeted—the fifth-most among all NFL linebackers—and allowed a passer rating of 122.9 in his coverage.
Lack of Impact Plays: After recording three forced fumbles as a rookie, his takeaway production became non-existent. He also struggled with "turnover-worthy" plays, including dropping critical interceptions in both 2024 and 2025.

good insight

[NoThanksSir]

Just because our Base Defense is changing to a 3-4 doesn’t mean we won’t also be running 4 man fronts , just not as frequent

Yep. Nickel packages still dominate defensive playcalling, and often times you'll have 4 down lineman in that set.

[KillerRaider30]

Yep. Nickel packages still dominate defensive playcalling, and often times you'll have 4 down lineman in that set.

Kwity is the strong side LB so when in a 4/3 he'll be the 4th down lineman.

Whats the weakside ILB (Quay) coverage responsibilities in the 3/4 and 4/3 nickle?

[NoThanksSir]

Kwity is the strong side LB so when in a 4/3 he'll be the 4th down lineman.

Whats the weakside ILB (Quay) coverage responsibilities in the 3/4 and 4/3 nickle?

Typically the RB. After that they're a gap filler or extra blitzer, sometimes split zone responsibility with the Mike in 3-4. In Nickel he's covering the RB, H-back, and spying the QB.

[Sold My Soul]

LB Quay Walker joining Raiders

Top 150 ranking: 57
Reported deal: 3 years, $40.5 million
Grade: B-

A 2022 first-round pick of the Packers, Walker has the range to make tackles in the open field and also drop into zone coverage. He recorded 128 tackles (11 for a loss) last season. Although not as effective on blitzes, ranking 35th in pass-rush efficiency among off-ball linebackers with at least 50 pass-rush snaps, Walker does, however, prove explosive when coming downhill against the run. — Jones

[chucker]

I'm not a big fan of this signing but I'll hope for the best. It seems like you have to simplify the game for him and always have him moving forward.

Not every FA signing will work out - really if 2/3 work out, you're doing pretty well.

[DanKD]

He did seem to be better in the 3-4 so hopefully we see an improvement. Contract details haven't been released for him yet?

It is an overpay based on past production though. He is young and athletic enough to have some untapped potential

[Rabidraider]

The one area I expected the team wouldn't address properly has been addressed properly.

I'm just so frigging happy.

[raiderjohn]

Paye will be the SAM

Quay will be the MIKE

Dean will be the JACK

Koonce will be the WILL

That's the early read after the signings.

[chucker]

[JRaider17]

[JRaider17]

[KillerRaider30]

Paye will be the SAM

Quay will be the MIKE

Dean will be the JACK

Koonce will be the WILL

That's the early read after the signings.

Ok so Maxx will.be the LDE.
Kwity and Maxx on the same side should be fun the watch.

I thought Kwity was bigger. He's listed at 6'2 265lbs. Before the return of Maxx i had him at DE but Sam sounds even better.
LFG