Green Bay Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker is projected by Spotrac to be the highest-paid offensive lineman in free agency. His estimated annual market value of $20.3 million is nearly $7 million more than the next closest tackle, Colts free agent Braden Smith. And yet Walker graded out poorly in 2025 and is not regarded as a home-run type of signing for teams who need o-line help.
In ESPN’s latest “best fit” list, compiled by analyst Aaron Schatz, Walker is left off entirely while five other offensive linemen link up with their perfect team. Certainly Packers fans are not so keen to have him back at his predicted price tag, and his exclusion from the list is just one more omen that whoever does pay him may get less than they bargained for.
Walker will command money that doesn’t match his recent value
There are, of course, caveats to be had in classing Walker as a likely overpay. One, he is an established starter who is younger than many available free agents, increasing his earning potential regardless of short-term value. He is entering his prime, rather than exiting it.
Two, his exclusion from the Schatz’s list partly due to the fact that not everyone needs is targeting a tackle specifically. Of the five linemen matched to teams in free agency, four are guards or centers. The tackle in the bunch is Smith, who goes to Arizona. Walker is left out in the cold, albeit as a “top remaining free agent” and member of ESPN’s previous top 50 names this cycle.
Still, it’s safe to say that paying him anything close to a four-year, $80 million contract, as projected by Spotrac, would be a major whiff if Walker doesn’t improve upon a subpar 2025 campaign. Sure, starting tackles make good money, but he didn’t even grade out as average. Walker’s 64.6 Pro Football Focus grade puts him in the bottom 42% of ranked tackles. His 55.4 mark in run blocking is bottom 20%.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker (63) is shown during the fourth quarter of their preseason game Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 20-7.
He also tallied nine penalties, tied for 17th-most among all linemen. Even though he graded out a tick above average in pass protection, Walker still allowed five sacks (64th-best at the position) and 34 pressures (67th).
Nonetheless, the former seventh-rounder has established himself as a solid starter over the last three seasons, which carries value in itself. He’s still young, having turned 26 in mid-February. There’s a reason his next contract will pay him well. But there’s also a reason he’s not on that list over Smith, who is older (29) and was only slightly better last year, but who should be available at two-thirds the annual cost.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!