David Walker Scouting Report
David Walker Scouting Report
From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Central Arkansas OLB/EDGE David Walker.
NO. 8 DAVID WALKER, OLB/EDGE, CENTRAL ARKANSAS (SENIOR) – 6005, 263 POUNDS
SENIOR BOWL PARTICIPANT
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
David Walker 6010/263 9 1/4 31 7/8 77
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.69 1.65 4.39 7.15
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
9’10” 35″ 26
*Testing results from NFL Scouting Combine
THE GOOD
– Sets up his pass-rush moves well as soon as ball is snapped
– Able to change direction quickly
– Good rip move, which helps him get around edge
– Turns speed into power well, even when changing direction
– Holds good leverage and has surprising strength considering his stocky stature
– Physical at point of attack in run defense
– Sets the edge in run defense consistently
– Good hand placement when taking on blocks
– Good power in his lower half
– Extremely statistically-productive during collegiate career
– Good bull rush, can blow up pocket from the inside
– Versatile alignment, could play on edge, or as defensive tackle in 4-3 sets
– Good motor, will get coverage sacks
– Sheds blocks well
– Showed improved ability to bat passes down during senior year
– Performed well during Senior Bowl week against FBS players
THE BAD
– Lacks desirable height and weight at position
– Not especially explosive off the line of scrimmage
– Although he has the speed to hit the edge in pass-rush, he has a habit trying to run through offensive lineman’s chests
– Not especially flexible in his lower half
– Natural leverage helped him in FCS, but lack of flexibility may hurt him in NFL
– Not a great athlete overall which may limit ceiling as pass-rusher
– Loses contain too often
– Had trouble getting walled off by stronger FCS linemen due to lack of lower-body strength
– Older prospect, will turn 25 before rookie year
– No time spent above FCS level could raise concerns about ability to produce against better competition
BIO
– Born on June 3rd, 2000
– Hometown: Stuttgart, Arkansas
– Attended Stuttgart High School
– Wasn’t ranked coming out of high school
– Attended NCAA Division-II-level Southern Arkansas University for two years
– Transferred to Central Arkansas (FCS) ahead of 2022 season
– Started all 11 games in 2022, had 66 total tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup
– In 2023, had 57 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup
– Started all 12 games in 2024, had 68 total tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, six passes defended and four forced fumbles
– Earned Defensive Player Of The Year Award in his conference each year from 2022-2024
– Wanted to create his own legacy at Central Arkansas instead of transferring to FBS school
TAPE BREAKDOWN
If you stepped into the stadium during a Central Arkansas game and I told you to pay attention to the guy wearing No. 8, you’d probably wonder why. David Walker has one of the more interesting builds at the position. At just above six feet tall, Walker has a sawed-off frame.
His frame doesn’t make him look especially athletic, but he can move.
https://i.gyazo.com/627727e40d83415febf91546c2dbac97.mp4
Here, Walker is lined up as the edge rusher on the right side of the screen. He gets off the ball quickly and starts pressing the outside shoulder of the offensive lineman. Then, he quickly steps inside, completely catching his man off-guard. Using his hands well, he forces the lineman off his balance and flies into the backfield to bring down the QB.
As a pass-rusher, David Walker’s bag is pretty deep. One of his best traits is his hands, which he uses well.
https://i.gyazo.com/a0b7848fdbb67b5b63a4c300f0d9e3d8.mp4
Walker is the edge rusher on the left side of the screen here. He doesn’t win this rep with blazing speed or crazy flexibility around the edge. Instead, pay attention to his hands. As soon as his opponent attempts to engage, Walker does a great job of batting the hands down and swimming around the outside. Another thing to look at here is his instincts once getting into the pocket. Not only does he bring the QB down, but you’ll also notice him swipe at the ball, attempting to force the fumble. That was something he was able to do often during his collegiate career.
Walker is not especially explosive off the line of scrimmage. He has shorter arms and tends to run into the chests of linemen too often. Despite all of that, surprisingly, he still manages to push the pocket.
https://i.gyazo.com/2fbffc1ae10714ccc8aa049318825f52.mp4
Here, David Walker is in a four-point stance just to the outside of the right tackle. This is a stunt, with Walker looping into the interior of the line. It’s hard not to appreciate the power and determination he showcases here. Walker has great natural leverage, and he uses that to blow up the middle of the pocket. Even though his helmet gets knocked off, he doesn’t give up.
Given his shorter arms, Walker has no choice but to be good with his hands.
https://i.gyazo.com/a08c690f1cded900990a468dc1fab9b3.mp4
Walker’s on the left side of the screen here, in between the right tackle and tight end. This is a 4th-and-goal situation, and Walker does an excellent job extending, reading the play, and shedding the block at the perfect time to make the tackle. This is a tough play for somebody with Walker’s frame and arm length. However, he’s able to make up for it with the way he uses his hands.
Sometimes, though, the shorter arms are too difficult to overcome.
https://i.gyazo.com/37078c6cc341a3a14997ea2bd160d574.mp4
Walker actually does do some things well in this rep. He’s able to get some pop at the point of attack with the lineman and does a decent job of reading what’s going on in the backfield. Unfortunately, his arms aren’t long enough to extend properly, and he gets taken out of the play.
While he has good technique, Walker could stand to be more explosive.
https://i.gyazo.com/27f4d32b175f788d30d3cf6e2ccd28da.mp4
On this play, Walker is aligned directly over the tight end on the left of the screen. Due to a miscommunication, there’s a moment when he’s alone and has a chance to blow up the play. Unfortunately, he’s just not explosive enough here. This is a common issue with Walker, as he’s just unable to get off the ball quickly and consistently.
CONCLUSION
David Walker had an incredible collegiate career. He was highly productive, earning the Defensive Player of the Year award in his conference three years straight, from 2022 to 2024. Walker is a smart pass rusher who uses his hands well, can change direction quickly, and sets up his moves. Walker is at his best when he can win around the edge with his rip move and natural leverage.
That said, his sawed-off frame limits him somewhat. Walker just doesn’t have the ideal height or length the NFL desires at the position. This isn’t helped by the fact that he has a habit of getting into the chest of offensive tackles instead of setting the edge. Walker isn’t especially explosive off the line and could stand to have a little more bend in his pass rush.
David Walker reminds me of Bralen Trice, who the Falcons drafted in the third round last year. Granted, Trice is a few inches taller than Walker, but they have similar skill sets. Each has shorter arms for the position, yet they are able to win because of their rip moves, leverage, and hands. Both are limited in terms of bend and explosiveness.
Projection: Early Day 3
Depot Draft Grade: 7.3 – Fourth Round (Rotational Player)
Games Watched: Tarleton State (2024), North Dakota State (2023), Ole Miss (2022)
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