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

[VW82]

9 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

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

 

Because he wasn't lining up at nose much in college. It looked like he spent as much time as a 3-4 edge as he did at nose, but mostly was a 3T. 

 

After watching more of his tape, I get it. I also get the Sanders pick from that perspective. We upgraded our Dline talent big time. God help opposing Olines on 3rd down. But...we still don't have a long-term answer at nose imo, unless you think Carter is that guy.

 

Maybe we can convert Walker. I don't love the idea of taking a 6'7 guy with a thin lower base who's had back problems and deciding to line him up in the A gap every down. It feels like that might neutralize what he does best and potentially set him up for more injury issues. But again, maybe our strength guys can figure that one out. I don't mind taking a long-term approach here given the obvious talent, and even if Deone isn't the long-term answer at 1T our investment was low and we now have a lot of options for that answer to emerge from.  

 

  

[Mat68]

59 minutes ago, VW82 said:

 

Because he wasn't lining up at nose much in college. It looked like he spent as much time as a 3-4 edge as he did at nose, but mostly was a 3T. 

 

After watching more of his tape, I get it. I also get the Sanders pick from that perspective. We upgraded our Dline talent big time. God help opposing Olines on 3rd down. But...we still don't have a long-term answer at nose imo, unless you think Carter is that guy.

 

Maybe we can convert Walker. I don't love the idea of taking a 6'7 guy with a thin lower base who's had back problems and deciding to line him up in the A gap every down. It feels like that might neutralize what he does best and potentially set him up for more injury issues. But again, maybe our strength guys can figure that one out. I don't mind taking a long-term approach here given the obvious talent, and even if Deone isn't the long-term answer at 1T our investment was low and we now have a lot of options for that answer to emerge from.  

 

  

I would argue the difference Buffalo want penetration even from the 1T position.  Jones was a beast in 22.  Disruption and pass rush.  Walker if healthy can offer that.  The player in 23 was that.  Learning from Jones should benefit him and Sanders.    

[TBBills Fan]

I have skinny calves too. This is a good pick 

[3rdand12]

19 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Giants with bad backs scare me….in earlier rounds. 

who was it , Jasper ??

19 hours ago, LyndonvilleBill said:

Just think what Tua is going to say when he sees Walker break through the line and he's coming at him.😱😉🤣

" Should have retired should have retired "

 "oh shoot , that really hurt"

[Augie]

1 minute ago, 3rdand12 said:

who was it , Jasper ??

 

They learned at the combine that Deone Walker had a stress fracture in his back. They say his 2023 film was of a 1st round pick, but he fell off some last year and we got him in the 4th. I’ll take a shot on that in the 4th, but not much sooner. 

[3rdand12]

17 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Playing nose in this defense has nothing to do with leverage. They are a gap attacking, penetrating scheme. They pick the guys they think fit their scheme. What we think their scheme should be is and what they should be looking for in a nose is irrelevant. 

Have been suggesting strongly they need to tweak that scheme up front.

1Tech with some pass rush upside and 1 Tech who covers the a b gap and doesnt get moved is the other key Bills need to utilize

With fast smart LBs and press corners more often . just might do wonders in the playoffs

[3rdand12]

27 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

I would argue the difference Buffalo want penetration even from the 1T position.  Jones was a beast in 22.  Disruption and pass rush.  Walker if healthy can offer that.  The player in 23 was that.  Learning from Jones should benefit him and Sanders.    

I mentioned that in some thread. Wanting a D Jones ten years younger from the draft. Having him on board to work with his apprentices is pretty alright 🙂

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

10 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

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

Traditional 0-tech NT (Ted Washington era) isn't looked to for pass rush. They are "two gappers" , in charge of defending two rushing lanes and effectively are trying to get double teamed every down so the other linemen are all 1 on 1. Now that has fallen out of favor as pass rushing becomes a priority over run defense but typically a 1-tech attacks the gap between Center and Guard and typically gets the double team by virtue of the fact that they have the shortest path to QB and collapse the pocket

 

What I've heard from people who've crunched take is that Walker tends to do a little slide to pick the gap he likes. I don't think that's intrinsically bad but it means that he's not dedicated to clogging lanes to help the others 

[3rdand12]

3 minutes ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

Traditional 0-tech NT (Ted Washington era) isn't looked to for pass rush. They are "two gappers" , in charge of defending two rushing lanes and effectively are trying to get double teamed every down so the other linemen are all 1 on 1. Now that has fallen out of favor as pass rushing becomes a priority over run defense but typically a 1-tech attacks the gap between Center and Guard and typically gets the double team by virtue of the fact that they have the shortest path to QB and collapse the pocket

 

What I've heard from people who've crunched take is that Walker tends to do a little slide to pick the gap he likes. I don't think that's intrinsically bad but it means that he's not dedicated to clogging lanes to help the others 

But would he be willing ?

And

 and as long as he picks the right gap lol

That wingspan and vision to react quickly at the line of scrimmage is a pretty nice asset to develop  

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

4 hours ago, SCBills said:

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 was thinking Jordan Davis but get your point

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

1 hour ago, 3rdand12 said:

But would he be willing ?

And

 and as long as he picks the right gap lol

That wingspan and vision to react quickly at the line of scrimmage is a pretty nice asset to develop  

Yeah if the idea is to run stunts, and constantly switch up fronts to the get natural overloads or simulated pressures with 4 rushers I am not mad about that

 

Edit: that would actually be the perfect thing to use Hoect for if that's the plan

Edited 7 hours ago by WhitewalkerInPhilly

[OldTimer1960]

On 4/26/2025 at 12:35 PM, GolfandBills said:

2023 he was really good.  Played through injuries this year so looks like a bit of a gamble here that could pay off in round 4. 

At post-draft event, Brandon Beane said they had a round 1 grade on his 2023 games.  Felt that back held him back in 2024.  Not hard to believe that someone that big with a back injury might struggle playing football in the SEC.  Hopefully, they get the injury healed up and we get the 2023 Deone Walker.

[OldTimer1960]

On 4/26/2025 at 12:48 PM, MarlinTheMagician said:

I probably would have preferred West, but the upside here is undeniable.  Everything says he needs conditioning, wears down.  Get him out of Kentucky, on an NFL diet and in an NFL weight room and he seems to have unlimited potential.

I would suspect that last year’s conditioning was hindered by the back injury.  Anyone remember Spencer Brown with his back injury?  Brown seems to have overcome that and has become a good RT.  Hopefully, Walker  can follow a similar path.

[PayDaBill$]

Can’t teach size, this dude needs conditioning, conditioning, conditioning and a bit of work on his technique to stay lower and stay balanced.  He’s a mountain of a man.  

Edited 5 hours ago by PayDaBill$

[BigDingus]

Listen to his opinion on Walker (1:07:55 in the video).

 

Again, the more I watched & read on him, the more I dislike this pick. I don't dislike the player, but it's rare to hear someone say "he's just not good" about a prospect overall. He's big, and that's about it. 

 

https://youtu.be/Y8F03DjBtpM?si=H6w2tdSQbJB4GSlU

[Ralonzo]

14 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

 

There's a tackle at 1:00, might be a facemask ,but if he does that to Mahomes he's probably getting the electric chair from the league.

[MrEpsYtown]

1 hour ago, BigDingus said:

Listen to his opinion on Walker (1:07:55 in the video).

 

Again, the more I watched & read on him, the more I dislike this pick. I don't dislike the player, but it's rare to hear someone say "he's just not good" about a prospect overall. He's big, and that's about it. 

 

https://youtu.be/Y8F03DjBtpM?si=H6w2tdSQbJB4GSlU

I just think you have to watch the film yourself. There are some really interesting things he can do. Additionally, I’m gonna probably side with Pete Prisco’s or Trapasso or whomever’s grade literally on the screen behind this guy who is talking in his mom’s basement. 

Edited 4 hours ago by MrEpsYtown

[PayDaBill$]

5 hours ago, BigDingus said:

Listen to his opinion on Walker (1:07:55 in the video).

 

Again, the more I watched & read on him, the more I dislike this pick. I don't dislike the player, but it's rare to hear someone say "he's just not good" about a prospect overall. He's big, and that's about it. 

 

https://youtu.be/Y8F03DjBtpM?si=H6w2tdSQbJB4GSlU

Every dude with a mic in his basement and a YouTube & X account isn’t the end all be all….

Edited 19 minutes ago by PayDaBill$

[JimBob2232]

He is just a DE in a DT body.  His legs are like twigs.  his Center of Gravity has to be somewhere around his chest. He clearly was productive against good competition.   If he can do the same in the NFL, that will be VERY impressive.  I  almost wonder if the better answer isn't to have him lose 30 pounds and put him at DE.  

 

Such an intriguing and risky pick.  Very interested in seeing how this one unfolds.

 

I mean, look at the proportions on this guy.  So unusual.

https://collegefootballnetwork.com/deone-walker-stuns-at-senior-bowl-with-jaw-dropping-measurements/

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=916853987151764&id=100064815123338&set=a.563937862443380

https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2023/11/23/deone-walker-i-just-dont-like-the-cardinals/vaughts-views/larryvaught/

[fergie's ire]

On 4/26/2025 at 6:54 PM, LyndonvilleBill said:

Just think what Tua is going to say when he sees Walker break through the line and he's coming at him.😱😉🤣

What is Tua going to say if we line up a DL Landon Jackson, Walker, Ogunjobi, and Rousseau.   That's a lineup of height that's 6'6", 6'7", 6'3", and 6'6".  He'll never see his receivers.