Deone Walker with his father and UK associate coach Vince Marrow. (X Photo)
He went into the 2024 season projected by many as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick but injuries helped limit defensive lineman Deone Walker’s production and he fell to a fourth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills Saturday.
However, it’s not all bad news for Walker because while the Bills have one of the NFL’s best offenses, the defense has had issues in big playoff games and needs a pass rusher. The Bills also obviously wanted Walker because they traded picks 132 and 169 overall to Chicago in exchange for pick 109 that they used to draft Walker.
Walker started 36 of 37 career games he played at UK in three seasons and had 132 career tackles, including 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Last season he had 37 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks in 11 games but later confirmed he had played the entire season with a back injury.
The 6-7, 344-pound Walker was a dominating player at times even against elite Southeastern Conference competition. Even though he was playing with an injury last season, he still was named to the all-SEC second team.
Walker had 55 tackles as a sophomore in 2023 and led the team in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (eight). He was named a third-team All-American by College Football News, a fourth-team selection by Phil Steele and was a first-team All-SEC choice by the AP, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus.
His freshman season he had 40 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in 13 games. He earned True Freshman All-America honors by On3.com, Pro Football Focus, 247sports.com and The Athletic and was named a First Team Freshman All-American by Football Writers Association of America and College Football News.
Walker, a Michigan native, was the 30th player to be drafted under coach Mark Stoops at Kentucky. Teammate Maxwell Hairston was picked by the Bills in the first round this year.
“Walker is a unique athlete with impressive balance and movement skills for a 330-plus-pounder, but his technique and pad level must catch up with his physical talent for the flashes to become consistent. If he adapts to pro coaching, he has the skill set to become an NFL starter,” Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote before the draft.
8 Responses
I am happy for Walker, but feel the Bills will regret this move.
I think Deone is lazy. Another thing going against him is he is to tall. Offensive lineman will get underneath him and pin him back. His measurements had him 6’7.5" so he’s very tall and that’s without cleats. So he’s probably 6’8" at least with cleats. For a lineman that’s huge. He should have came back and proved the doubters wrong but he had one foot out of Lexington to begin his junior year.
Terry you need get all the facts abou Walker why he had a step back last yeart before blowing smoke. Walker was playing with a injury back that he refuse not to play that the coaches wanted him to do. He wanted to help the team regardless the injuryslow his playing abilities that he show in his sophomore year. You have knack of knocking on players that doesn’t suit you. We don’t need that
Terry don’t worry about what Cats 79 says. He always goes off on anyone who says anything critical about anyone or anything associated with the University of Kentucky, no matter how accurate the comment is. If knowledge of college football and basketball were gunpowder, 79 couldn’t blow his nose.
Lol hahaha accurate my friend!
They get him healed and the NFL trainers tune his body weight to his height- they may have the steal of the draft. He’ll have to attack a little lower so the cat quick 290 pulling guards don’t cut him down like a big oak. He’s a good kid – big and lovable. I think he’ll develop a bit of a mean streak when he’s “ singing for his supper “
I said he is lazy because that is one of the things that destroyed his draft stock was because he takes to many plays off where he doesn’t run and sometimes doesn’t even walk. I agree injury did slow him down some but why play if your injured? Especially a back injury I don’t think that’s why he played terrible but you can believe what you want too. The NFL doesn’t tolerate taking plays off and walking even if the play is on the other side of the field. He didn’t look hurt he looked winded and yes his snap count was extremely high but still walking around constantly is a sign of laziness. If he starts working out more and gets in better game shape he could be a game changer even at the NFL level.
There were too many times where he got stopped cold by a tight end or running back. He should be able to blow through those guys.