Bills 4th Round Pick : Deone Walker - DT - Kentucky

[NickelCity]

49 minutes ago, NewEra said:

And people cease to except this fact. 

 

Not sure I agree with that turn of phrase. I don't think the fan base stopped believing in something...I just don't think they ever really understood or accepted that McBean don't want a traditional 1T. I don't know that I totally agree with McBean but I understand what they're after. What's funny to me is that Beane comes across as somewhat confused about what the fanbase and media see as an obvious role for that 1T.

[JimmyNoodles]

This kid was a game wrecker in 2023. I remember seeing him play and wishing the Bills had someone his size. I know nothing about his back problems, but if he returns to form he will be tremendous. 

[Warriorspikes51]

since there’s so much crying about what KC does….here’s their version of Cover 1 saying they need him & he was top 20 pick if he was drafted last year

[Warriorspikes51]

 

 

[Warriorspikes51]

Not a traditional nose…but requires double teams regardless and can legit rush the passer.

 

 

[BillsFanForever19]

14 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Not a traditional nose…but requires double teams regardless and can legit rush the passer.

 

Genuinely curious - what makes you say he isn't a "traditional nose"?

[BillsClinton]

1 hour ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

 

I don't think he'll get away with it in the NFL but seeing a dude that size doing a spin move is a joy to watch.

[machine gun kelly]

16 hours ago, Virgil said:

There's your 1T.  Everyone can rest easy now.

 

Interesting to me that they took him over Farmer, considering the visits they had with Farmer.  Also, surprised they felt they needed to trade up for him, since the ratings I saw for Walker had him going lower.  ESPN has Walker 10 rating points less than Farmer, for whatever that is worth.  

Virg., I had a large sigh of relief when I saw us move up for this pick.  I was hoping for more talent at WR, but understand the strategy.  They drafted they hope for Taron’s eventual replacement after getting developed for two years.

[BuffaloRebound]

4 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Genuinely curious - what makes you say he isn't a "traditional nose"?

He’s a younger Jordan Phillips and we know Mcdermott loves him some Jordan Phillips.  A handful of plays a year where he absolutely blows up the O Line and makes a game changing play.  That’s what i’m expecting.  Anything more than that is gravy for a 4th round pick.  

[SCBills]

Deone Walker was the biggest swing Beane made to potentially turn our DL into what Philly had last year.

 

Theres a reason we had to trade all the way up to 109 to jump Philly for him.

 

If the back issues persist.. the move is a flop and the guy we get is what Joe Marino hated on film last year.  A stiff, top-heavy big DT that is largely unproductive at the NFL level.

 

If the back issues heal up and the Bills bet correct on his medicals.. we have a Jalen Carter type player.   Look at his ‘23 film.  It’s insane.  

[Coach Tuesday]

2 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Deone Walker was the biggest swing Beane made to potentially turn our DL into what Philly had last year.

 

Theres a reason we had to trade all the way up to 109 to jump Philly for him.

 

If the back issues persist.. the move is a flop and the guy we get is what Joe Marino hated on film last year.  A stiff, top-heavy big DT that is largely unproductive at the NFL level.

 

If the back issues heal up and the Bills bet correct on his medicals.. we have a Jalen Carter type player.   Look at his ‘23 film.  It’s insane.  

I think that’s exactly right.  Philly last year proved again what Gettleman taught Beane years ago - keep taking swings at DL and if you hit on one or two, you can flip the field in your direction.

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, BuffaloRebound said:

He’s a younger Jordan Phillips and we know Mcdermott loves him some Jordan Phillips

I thought historically JP couldn’t stay on the field because he regularly ignored his assignment to get upfield and hunt for sacks. 
 

wasn’t that the reason we didn’t re-sign him?

[The Frankish Reich]

21 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I wanted that 464 pound guy, but there is still time.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/meet-desmond-watson-464-pound-131042065.html

 

https://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?64272-Could-a-morbidly-obese-goalie-shut-out-an-NHL-Team

 

Looking forward to seeing it. Hey, MLB had to ban "little people" after Bill Veeck had the nerve to try it.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1010838/2019/06/05/the-tragic-spectacle-of-eddie-gaedel-baseballs-only-3-foot-7-pinch-hitter/

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

17 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/meet-desmond-watson-464-pound-131042065.html

 

https://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?64272-Could-a-morbidly-obese-goalie-shut-out-an-NHL-Team

 

Looking forward to seeing it. Hey, MLB had to ban "little people" after Bill Veeck had the nerve to try it.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1010838/2019/06/05/the-tragic-spectacle-of-eddie-gaedel-baseballs-only-3-foot-7-pinch-hitter/

this is great! I had no idea about Eddie Gaedel. What a story! 

[nosejob]

This guy is gonna be great. Get some culture and process up in him....along with conditioning and look out. He won't need to play 100% snaps either. I'm stoked!

[JimBob2232]

Really an unusual player.  From a Kentucky Expert "Long story short -- injury, disappointing junior season, unique player in a run-stuffer body with a pass-rush first skill set, and poor athletic testing for a prospect whose movement skills need to be the reason he succeeds in the NFL. Deone Walker is not a cookie cutter prospect and will need some coaching/scheme creativity to max out. All of those things added up to create a draft fall. He was good testing away from not falling out of the second round but the poor junior season is ultimately what started this fall."  Also seems to be lots of concern with his effort.

 

Rooting for him.  Hope he does well...but even on the Kentucky side they didn't seem to love him.

[WideNine]

11 hours ago, NickelCity said:

 

Not sure I agree with that turn of phrase. I don't think the fan base stopped believing in something...I just don't think they ever really understood or accepted that McBean don't want a traditional 1T. I don't know that I totally agree with McBean but I understand what they're after. What's funny to me is that Beane comes across as somewhat confused about what the fanbase and media see as an obvious role for that 1T.

 

This.

 

Some fans think we are talking about a Ted Washington, but that's not it.

 

But someone like a younger version of DaQuan who can attack the A-gaps and force the double teams, sometimes split the doubles and collapse the pocket.

 

Someone who can read leverage and anchor on inside runs...not rocket science.

 

This kid has back problems and some of that may be due to how imbalanced his frame is... He's top-heavy and needs work to strengthen that lower body so he is not trying to do everything from up top.

 

Our strength and conditioning team has some work ahead, but could mold this kid into something special if he is willing.

 

 

[Sierra Foothills]

1 hour ago, SCBills said:

Deone Walker was the biggest swing Beane made to potentially turn our DL into what Philly had last year.

 

Theres a reason we had to trade all the way up to 109 to jump Philly for him.

 

If the back issues persist.. the move is a flop and the guy we get is what Joe Marino hated on film last year.  A stiff, top-heavy big DT that is largely unproductive at the NFL level.

 

If the back issues heal up and the Bills bet correct on his medicals.. we have a Jalen Carter type player.   Look at his ‘23 film.  It’s insane.  

 

You nailed it as far as the "big swing" theory.

 

Regarding his back, as I said upthread I cannot think of a single player that McBeane have drafted (we're talking 9 drafts now) that was a medical risk that became a medical problem.

 

As I said earlier, I'm willing and waiting to be corrected on this...

 

53 minutes ago, JimBob2232 said:

Really an unusual player.  From a Kentucky Expert "Long story short -- injury, disappointing junior season, unique player in a run-stuffer body with a pass-rush first skill set, and poor athletic testing for a prospect whose movement skills need to be the reason he succeeds in the NFL. Deone Walker is not a cookie cutter prospect and will need some coaching/scheme creativity to max out. All of those things added up to create a draft fall. He was good testing away from not falling out of the second round but the poor junior season is ultimately what started this fall."  Also seems to be lots of concern with his effort.

 

Rooting for him.  Hope he does well...but even on the Kentucky side they didn't seem to love him.

 

He apparently had a great Senior Bowl week. I think he's an ascending talent who hasn't reached anywhere near his potential yet.

 

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

I thought historically JP couldn’t stay on the field because he regularly ignored his assignment to get upfield and hunt for sacks. 
 

wasn’t that the reason we didn’t re-sign him?

 

On the other hand, the Bills have re-signed Jordan Phillips 3 different seasons... 2018, 2022, and last year. To me, that means they like him.

 

Besides getting better, the Bills need to get younger and cheaper on the D-line.

 

That's what this draft was about.

 

[Augie]

9 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

 

It’s funny, he looks slow and lumbering, but there he is making play after play in the SEC.  🤷‍♂️

[Coach Tuesday]

Have to assume they have some positive intel on this guy from all of the scouting and backchanneling they clearly did with the Kentucky program. 

Edited 5 minutes ago by Coach Tuesday