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

[Logic]

To echo what others have said: I don't think you can do what Deone Walker did as a 19 year old in the SEC without having some serious talent.

At the same time, all of the concerns that accompany a man of his size, as well as his 2024 falloff (injury related or not) are valid considerations.

Put the two together -- his potential game-wrecking talent and the concerns on his tape and with his health/size/stature -- and you have exactly what the Bills got: a 4th round dart throw.

In my opinion, the risk-reward with Walker is worthwhile. If he hits, you have exactly what his new GM described: a 1st round caliber player and a steal and a guy who can impact games in a big way. If he flops, the cost was a 4th round pick. The potential negative impact of a 4th round pick busting is not, in my opinion, severe enough to warrant not taking the risk on a guy like Walker.

We all agree that the Bills need more difference makers and less "just okay to good" players around Josh Allen. Consider Deone Walker a definite swing of the bat with intent to hit a home run.

Edited 6 hours ago by Logic

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

12 minutes ago, Logic said:

To echo what others have said: I don't think you can do what Deone Walker did as a 19 year old in the SEC without having some serious talent.

At the same time, all of the concerns that accompany a man of his size, as well as his 2024 falloff (injury related or not) are valid considerations.

Put the two together -- his potential game-wrecking talent and the concerns on his tape and with his health/size/stature -- and you have exactly what the Bills got: a 4th round dart throw.

In my opinion, the risk-reward with Walker is worthwhile. If he hits, you have exactly what his new GM described: a 1st round caliber player and a steal and a guy who can impact games in a big way. If he flops, the cost was a 4th round pick. The potential negative impact of a 4th round pick busting is not, in my opinion, severe enough to warrant not taking the risk on a guy like Walker.

We all agree that the Bills need more difference makers and less "just okay to good" players around Josh Allen. Consider Deone Walker a definite swing of the bat with intent to hit a home run.

I agree that the boom/bust nature is likely why he made it to the 4th round. Heck I'm even ok with a redshirt year if he needs to rehab because of the talent flashed but with a 4th it's no skin off Beane's nose if things don't pan out

[Dunkirk Donski]

Cage this guy up for a year, fix his lower half and let him loose.  Can’t wait to see what he can do in ‘26

[Warriorspikes51]

18 minutes ago, Dunkirk Donski said:

Cage this guy up for a year, fix his lower half and let him loose.  Can’t wait to see what he can do in ‘26

No. Cage him until training camp and let him free.   We need this player this season. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Warriorspikes51

[stlbills13]

He will force Derrick Henry to run outside right at Max Hairston  

 

But in reality I like Walker a lot. He needs to strengthen his lower body but he's still going to clog up lanes and he has enough quickness to at least force a QB outside

[Doc]

1 hour ago, WideNine said:

If folks get a chance check out the Locked on Bills squad with Jerry O commenting.

 

He really sheds some light from a player's perspective on the injury, Walker's toughness playing through pain his last season, and perhaps how confident OBD felt that they could rehab him to a much better place.

 

Made a great parallel with Spencer Brown, tall guy, a bit stiff and imbalanced, with back issues that they rehabbed and conditioned to be a player who could play at a high level and one they locked up for a longer term deal.

 

A good positive spin, where if the kid really is committed to the NFL-level rehab and training program the Bills can provide, not only will he make the pain more manageable, but also be able to tap into his pre-injury potential.

 

I wish him the best for both our team needs and for his own well being.

 

Have him room with Spencer Brown and learn what to do about/for his back.

[3rdand12]

18 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

 

Both of you guys bring up the biggest question about Walker and also TJ Sanders for that matter.

 

The critics keep banging on "we don't have a true 1-technique," the argument being that we need to replace DaQuan Jones.

 

However there's some assumptions being made that should be questioned:

 

Are the Bills going to play the same defense that they've played in the past? They just hired a senior defensive assistant, Ryan Nielsen. They also have a new Assistant Defensive Line Coach in Jason Rebrovich. Are we sure we're going to be running the same schemes? Bobby Babich is entering his second year as DC. Cornerbacks Coach Jahmile Addae is entering only his second year with the Bills.

 

The drafting of Maxwell Hairston has raised speculation that the Bills might have a different defensive approach this year.

 

The drafting of TJ Sanders and Deone Walker should give rise to that same speculation.

 

There are lots of variants to the 4-3 defense... over and under just to name the most basic.

 

Without knowing for sure that the Bills are going to be wheeling out the same defense, it's a bit premature to judge whether these players are filling positions of need.

 

 

"His opinion?"

 

Would you do me the favor of telling me his name, credentials, and why I should give any credence to his opinions?

 

Thank you.

 

Bills absolutely Should have a slightly different approach

[3rdand12]

6 hours ago, Mat68 said:

Widest range of outcomes with Walker.  Already tall and hard to play with leverage.  A hairline fracture in his back could explain his play in 24 and how different it was in 23.  Imo take some of the internet scouting with a grain of salt. No telling what game was watched to form the opinion.
 

Daquan Jones is not your typical 1T.  300-310 well put together not overweight.  He was at his best getting in the backfield and penetrating the gap.  2 gapping is not what he was doing.  The position forces the double but they are instructed to beat it first hold ground second.  Both Walker and Sanders can do it.  Imo Walker isn't getting more than 15 to 20 snaps.  See Jordan Davis snap count in the super bowl.  Keep the big man fresh and let him be Godzilla a handful of plays a game.   

I approve of this post. and thanks for details how they used Jones.

One of the reasons I was adamant about getting to Big Dude to play between the O guards , generally ,

Is to spell each other sneaking in for some situational 3-4th downs. Gotta keep the Big Boys fresh and offenses off balance. These boys both could make for some sweet packages as well I am already thinking about !

 Love talking about the new Rooks 😉 and critiques of all sorts

But I am going to stay hyped about these guys  as long as possible 

 

The new D line Coach and defensive Coaches have some new tools/toys to play with 👍 and have some faith these were all very purposeful picks

[3rdand12]

44 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Have him room with Spencer Brown and learn what to do about/for his back.

You're not really a Doc are you 😉

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

To echo what others have said: I don't think you can do what Deone Walker did as a 19 year old in the SEC without having some serious talent.

At the same time, all of the concerns that accompany a man of his size, as well as his 2024 falloff (injury related or not) are valid considerations.

Put the two together -- his potential game-wrecking talent and the concerns on his tape and with his health/size/stature -- and you have exactly what the Bills got: a 4th round dart throw.

In my opinion, the risk-reward with Walker is worthwhile. If he hits, you have exactly what his new GM described: a 1st round caliber player and a steal and a guy who can impact games in a big way. If he flops, the cost was a 4th round pick. The potential negative impact of a 4th round pick busting is not, in my opinion, severe enough to warrant not taking the risk on a guy like Walker.

We all agree that the Bills need more difference makers and less "just okay to good" players around Josh Allen. Consider Deone Walker a definite swing of the bat with intent to hit a home run.

I think this analysis is exactly right. 

 

I'm one who's been calling for a difference maker. The Bills didn't have an opportunity to move up into the top 10 or so in the first round, where difference makers can be found, so they have to place a bet here or there.

 

Someone mentioned Spencer Brown. Brown wasn't the reach Walker is, but he was a reach. The Bills bet he could make the big leap from nowheresville U to the NFL.  It wasn't always pretty, but betting on Brown has paid off. 

 

Frankly, when I started reading about this guy, I didn't think Spencer Brown. I thought Jason Peters. A raw physical freak learning to play against the best in the world. Remember that Peters was a tight end, and the Bills tried him on kickoff coverage because of his mobility. It took a few years, but that raw talent, once focused, became a Hall of Fame player. 

[McMuffin]

On 4/26/2025 at 12:40 PM, BCAS Baritone said:

from PFF

 

Pros
Very quick first step for a player of his size
Has a baseline for a variety of pass-rush moves
Has the length to play 3-4 DE
Hand usage is quick despite also very long length
Good natural power in his upper body

 

Cons
Not a lot of weight in his lower half despite weighing 340 pounds — ankles/calves are skinny
High-waisted build makes it tougher for him to sit in his stance with leverage/power
Pops up quickly out of his stance
 

 

-Relatively little glute or hamstring development and weak core leads to less powerful base and more risk of lower back injuries.
 

-Even accounting for his height, he plays high.

 

-A targeted strength and conditioning program will help.

 

Hopefully he works out and becomes an impact player as a pro

[PayDaBill$]

lol have to love all the gm’s kinesiologist‘s and anatomy experts in here… that’s a rare set of skills for any one human 😉😂

Edited 3 hours ago by PayDaBill$

[3rdand12]

Just now, PayDaBill$ said:

lol have to love all the gm’s kinesiologist‘s and anatomy experts in here… that’s a rare set

of skills for any one human 😉😂

you're welcome😋

[Comebackkid]

does Ed Wang come to anyones mind?

[oldmanfan]

You don’t do what this kid did in the SEC without talent, but raw.  Needs NFL level coaching and training but love a big tub of goo!

[TBBills Fan]

1 hour ago, Comebackkid said:

does Ed Wang come to anyones mind?

I don't think about Wang without first thinking about Levitre