The Green Bay Packers added depth to their defensive line Tuesday by claiming undrafted rookie Arden Walker off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings, according to the NFL transaction wire.
Walker, a defensive end, will join the Packers’ training camp roster after the Vikings released him a day earlier. Minnesota made the move to free up a spot for veteran outside linebacker Kenny Dyson.
The Packers’ decision to claim Walker from a division rival stands out, given the longstanding competition between the two NFC North teams. Walker had been with the Vikings since signing as an undrafted free agent in early May.
During his college career, Walker played five seasons, spending two at Missouri and three at Colorado under coach Deion Sanders. Over 51 games, he recorded 102 combined tackles, including 14 for loss. He also notched eight sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble.
Walker did not generate enough buzz with his college production or pro day performance to hear his name called in the draft. Still, he drew positive comments in the spring for his overall skill set.
“He ran a 4.76-second 40-yard dash, posted a 31-inch vertical, a 9-foot-6 broad jump, 22 bench reps, a 4.40 shuttle and a 7.20 three-cone drill,” Denver Sports Media’s Carlos Bryant wrote back in April.
“Those are not freak-show numbers that force their way into the national conversation, but they are solid across the board and fit the profile of a player trying to show teams he can help in multiple ways.“For Walker, the bigger sell is the full package — production, leadership, versatility, special teams value and a mindset built around details.”
The Vikings’ preference for Dyson’s experience over Walker’s potential as a first-year player led to the roster change. Dyson is heading into his third professional season.
Walker now has about 12 days to impress the Packers before teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players. He may end up starting the 2026 regular season on the practice squad, and the early claim could give Green Bay an advantage in securing him there.
The Packers already have several edge rushers on their training camp roster, including Micah Parsons, Brenton Cox Jr., Dani Dennis-Sutton, Nyjalik Kelly, Arron Mosby, Collin Oliver, Barryn Sorrell and Lukas Van Ness. Green Bay lists players without distinguishing between defensive ends and outside linebackers.
Walker, who played defensive end in college, will likely compete for a role among those edge defenders rather than against every name on the list. The Packers are looking for contributions in pass rushing as they navigate the early part of the season without relying solely on Parsons.
Green Bay is set to face the Denver Broncos in the second week of the preseason. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT at Empower Field at Mile High.
Walker’s path from undrafted free agent to a new team in a matter of months highlights the constant roster shuffling that defines this stage of the NFL calendar. For the Packers, the claim represents a low-risk opportunity to evaluate a player with solid college production and measurable athleticism.
Whether Walker sticks around beyond the final cuts remains to be seen, but his arrival gives the coaching staff another body to work with during the remaining practices and preseason games.
The next couple of weeks will determine if he can adapt quickly enough to contribute in Green Bay’s defensive scheme.
