The Unpacking Future Packers countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers will be interested in one or two, maybe even three cornerbacks this offseason.
Eric Stokes is set to enter free agency and his time at 1265 Lombardi Avenue is likely coming to an end. Jaire Alexander has played in 14 games over the past two seasons (as of Week 17), and the team may have to start thinking about life without the injury-prone defenseman.
Justin Walley is a linebacker the Packers could look at in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Minnesota Golden Gophers prospect ranks 100th in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Walley, a three-star recruit, played in 42 games during his time with Minnesota. During his first season on campus, Walley recorded one interception and seven pass deflections. The following season he had three interceptions. In 2023, Walley recorded 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and eight pass deflections.
Walley missed two games last season due to injury and recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
“Walley has been a key player for the Gophers in recent years,” said Daniel House, founder of Gophers Guru. “He was the team’s most experienced returning defenseman this year. He set the tone from a leadership standpoint and became someone who could be trusted externally. Walley played as soon as he stepped foot on campus, which is a testament not only to his skill level but also to his mentality. As a young player, Walley quickly adapted and changed. He even played a few snaps this year to help the team. Walley also dealt with bumps and bruises, but continued to fight for the team. I think that says a lot about his character and commitment. He really fights and keeps his head down.”
Wally has quick footwork and velvety pedaling to keep him on vertical lines. He has an athletic lower body that allows him to stay at the top of routes. Walley has impressive awareness and disciplined eyes. With 42 starts under his belt, he is an astute player and is good at keeping wingers aside.
Although he played almost exclusively on the perimeter in Minnesota, he could step up to the next level. That’s something NFL teams will want to take a look at while he’s in Frisco, Texas, for Shrine Bowl week.
“I think his movement skills, fluidity, loose hips and suddenness,” House said. “You could see it by studying his high school offensive film. He was also a lively running back at D’Iberville High School in Mississippi. Walley has a really good ability to click and close. When he plays with a zone technique, he can switch from playing backwards to driving the ball. He has extensive experience in zone coverage structures, but shows solid mirroring and hip ability when tasked with man coverage mirror receivers.
The Gophers cornerback struggled to catch the ball and finished his Dinkytown career with 27 pass deflections. He likes to jump on routes and has a quick trigger.
“I think it was a result of his field of vision taking a step forward,” House said. “Walley had a really good understanding of processing route combinations. By studying film and preparing, he expanded his knowledge of how crimes attack specific gazes. I thought this plan put him in good positions too. Minnesota has completely reversed the relationship. For example, they told him to drop to the deep half or third of the lineup and be replaced underneath. He switched from the off foot to the driven foot and focused on the ball, reading the quarterback’s eyes and analyzing potential route combinations. Walley is a versatile defender who can confidently play zone or marking techniques at a higher level.
Walley is a willing outfield forward with run support. While he may be the biggest cornerback (5-10, 195 pounds), he isn’t afraid to push into the scrum. According to Professional focus on footballWalley finished last season with 12 stops.
“Walley has a physicality to him,” House said. “He can make tackles on the perimeter and has done a good job this year of triggering screens. Walley has the ability to compete on the edge and deconstruct when necessary. Justin is not afraid of contact and can provide value in this area for an NFL team. It gives you some value when thrown out of CAT blitzes because of its downward acceleration.”
During his time in Minnesota, Walley logged 357 snaps on special teams and recorded seven tackles.
Fits the Packers
If Carrington Valentine continues to make progress and Alexander stays robust, the Packers won’t need an immediate starter at cornerback and will instead look for depth.
Walley could be a target for the Packers early in Day 3. With his veteran coverage, toughness and special teams experience, Walley would be able to make an immediate impact on special teams while providing quality and depth behind Alexander, Valentine and Keisean Nixon.
“I think teams will like his combination of movement skills, field vision and coverage structure versatility,” House said. “He can confidently play in different marking structures, depending on your defensive style. I think he fits best in a zone-focused scheme where you can make him work in space, react and play the ball. His instincts and ability to click are a good fit for this type of team. Walley’s athleticism could also support special teams teams.
With Alexander likely to miss another game this week against the Minnesota Vikings, it becomes obvious that the Packers will likely look to add a cornerback or two to the lineup this offseason.
Walley tests his program’s versatility, experience, durability, ball production and special teams experience. All of these points put the Golden Gophers guard high on Green Bay’s radar as day three of the 2025 draft begins on April 26.
