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Joe had a keen eye on Bucs edge rusher David Walker making his NFL debut tonight against the Jets in the preseason opener.
Walker entered the game as the NFL’s all-time hype leader among 26-year-olds out of the University of Central Arkansas.
That’s right. Walker is 26. The 2025 fourth-round pick had his rookie season erased by a July ACL (knee) tear. This summer in training camp, Walker has looked like a pass rusher with legit potential. The Bucs front office has been gassing up Walker since the moment he was drafted.
So what did Walker do tonight?
Walker had two special teams tackles in punt coverage. That’s darn good. He also played on kickoff coverage, where he didn’t look very good.
(What Walker was doing on the field on fourth down is unclear. If he’s really a dangerous pass rusher, then why risk his body? Wasn’t anything learned from what happened to Jacquies Smith in 2016?)
Walker’s pass rush work was ok. He didn’t get a lot of opportunities. And no, Joe doesn’t think Walker’s pressure led to the Bucs’ impressive pick-6 by Ayden Garnes. At one point, the Jets double-teamed Walker on the edge. Walker also dropped once in coverage. And he once looked a little gassed; or he wasn’t playing with his hair on fire. (Joe doesn’t want to believe Walker loafed.)
It’s presason Game 1. This isn’t Joe knocking Walker. Just paying attention.
The Bucs need all the pass rush help they can get.