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 in a market for a cornerback or two, or maybe even three this offseason.
Eric Stokes is set to hit free agency and is likely nearing the end of his time at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Jaire Alexander has played in 14 games over the past two seasons (as of Week 17), and the team may need to start thinking about life without the injury-prone cornerback.
Justin Walley is a cornerback, who the Packers could target during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Minnesota Golden Gophers prospect checks in at No. 100 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Walley, a three-star recruit, started 42 games during his time at Minnesota. During his first season on campus, Walley recorded one interception and seven pass deflections. The following season he picked off three interceptions. In 2023, Walley recorded 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and eight pass deflections.
Walley missed two games this past season due to injury and recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
“Walley was a cornerstone player for the Gophers in recent years,” Daniel House, the founder of Gophers Guru, said. “This year, he was the team’s most experienced returning cornerback. He set the tone from a leadership standpoint and became someone they could trust on the outside. Walley played immediately when he set foot on campus, which speaks to not just his skill level, but mental makeup. Walley adjusted and transitioned quickly as a young player. This year, he even played a few snaps in the slot to help the team out. Walley was battling through bumps and bruises as well, but kept going for the team. I thought it said a lot about his character and commitment. He really battles and keeps his head down.”
Wally has sudden footwork and is smooth in his pedal to stay locked in on vertical routes. He has the lower body athleticism to stay on top of routes. Walley has impressive awareness and disciplined eyes. With 42 starts to his name, he’s a savvy player and does a good job of squeezing wide receivers to the sideline.
While he played almost exclusively on the boundary at Minnesota, he could kick inside at the next level. That’s something NFL teams will want to get a look at when he’s in Frisco, Texas for Shrine Bowl week.
“I think his movement skills, fluidity, loose hips and suddenness,” House said. “You could see these things while studying his high school offensive film. He was also a dynamic running back at D’Iberville High School in Mississippi. Walley has really good click and close ability. When he’s playing a zone technique, he can transition from his backpedal to driving on the football. He has ample experience in zone coverage structures but displays solid mirroring ability and hips while tasked with mirroring receivers in man.”
The Gophers cornerback is pesty at the catch point and finished his career at Dinkytown with 27 pass deflections. He’s eager to jump routes and has a quick trigger.
“I think it was a product of his field vision taking a step forward,” House said. “Walley really developed a good understanding for processing route combinations. He also expanded his understanding of how offenses are attacking certain looks through film study and prep. I thought the scheme put him in some good positions too. Minnesota inverted coverages quite a bit. For example, they had him dropping into a deep half or third and getting replaced underneath. He transitioned from break foot to drive foot and closed on the football while reading the quarterback’s eyes and processing the potential route combination. Walley is a scheme-versatile cornerback who can confidently play zone or man coverage techniques at the next level.”
Walley is a willing downfield tackler in run support. While he may be the biggest cornerback (5-10, 195 pounds), he’s not afraid to stick into the scrum. According to Pro Football Focus, Walley finished this past season with 12 run stops.
“Walley has some physicality to him,” House said. “He can make tackles on the perimeter and did a nice job of triggering down on screens this year. Walley has the capability to compete on the edge and deconstruct as needed. Justin doesn’t shy away from contact and can provide value in this area for an NFL team. He gives you some value when he’s sent off CAT blitzes too because of his downhill acceleration.”
During his time at Minnesota, Walley logged 357 snaps on special teams and recorded seven tackles.
Fit with the Packers
If Carrington Valentine continues to progress and if Alexander can stay healthy, the Packers won’t need an instant starter at cornerback, instead, they’ll be looking for depth.
Walley could be an early Day 3 target for the Packers. With his veteran-like savvy in coverage, his toughness and his experience on special teams, Walley would be able to provide an immediate impact on special teams, while providing quality depth behind Alexander, Valentine and Keisean Nixon.
“I think teams will like his blend of movement skills, field vision and coverage structure versatility,” House said. “He can confidently play in a variety of coverage structures based on your defensive style. I think he fits best in a zone-heavy scheme where you can get him working in space, reacting and making plays on the ball. His instincts and click-close traits are a good fit for those types of teams. Walley’s athleticism can help a team on special teams as well.”
With Alexander expected to miss another game this week against the Minnesota Vikings, it’s becoming evident that the Packers will likely look to add a cornerback or two this offseason.
Walley checks the boxes with his scheme versatility, experience, toughness, ball production and special teams experience. All those bullet points add up to the Golden Gophers cornerback being high on Green Bay’s radar when Day 3 of the 2025 draft kicks off on April 26.