Pound That Table
April 15th, 2025
Terrorized FCS QBs.
The next Shaq Barrett may be in this draft.
That’s the way CBS and NFL Network analyst and good guy Charles Davis sees it. And Davis said he would pound the table for this guy if he was running an NFL draft war room.
David Walker is a guy buried at Central Arkansas. But as Davis sees it, Walker may be a small school guy but he has NFL ability to get to the quarterback. And if the Bucs are looking for the next Shaq, Davis said Walker is a guy Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht should pay attention to.
In 12 games last year for Central Arkansas, Walker had 23 TFLs, 10.5 sacks (39 sacks in four seasons) and four forced fumbles. And Davis thinks he has Shaq-like ability, Davis typed for NFL.com.
I’m not a member of the scouting community — you have to do the job, and earn it — but I listen and learn from those who are part of that fraternity. They have taught me that the ability to rush the quarterback translates, no matter what level of football you’re coming from. Walker has it. He posted an eye-popping 82.5 tackles for loss with 39 sacks over the past four seasons, splitting his time between Southern Arkansas and Central Arkansas. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl, where he was matched up against tougher competition than he faced during his college career. He might not possess the ideal measurables at 6-0, 267 pounds, but I like guys who can rush the passer, no matter what package they come in. I see a little of two-time Pro Bowler Shaq Barrett in his game.
Joe watched highlights of Walker, both from Central Arkansas and the Senior Bowl, and yeah, he looked like a heavier Shaq. Moved like him.
As you can see in the video below (if it doesn’t appear, click here) this Walker wastes little time getting to the quarterback. Once Walker sees daylight between him and the quarterback, he explodes to the passer.
Like he shifts into a higher gear.
Dane Brugler in his “The Beast” draft guide for The Athletic has Walker as his second-highest rated edge rusher not from a Power-4 school (only Mike Green of Marshall is higher). Brugler liked how Walker pulled opponents on the FCS level.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Central Arkansas, Walker played the “Bandit” edge role in defensive coordinator Greg Stewart’s multiple fronts. One of the most productive players in FCS history, he collected 82.5 tackles for loss and 39 sacks over the past four seasons. A three-time consensus All-American, his trophy case got pretty crowded — he won the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player and conference defensive player of the year honors three straight years.
When studying FCS tape, you shouldn’t need to know a player’s number — and that is absolutely true with Walker, who quickly jumps out as the best player on the field (even on Central Arkansas’ terrible purple and gray field). He bursted off the ball with pop in his hands to bully FCS blockers and didn’t look out of place against better competition during Senior Bowl practices. Overall, Walker isn’t a one-trick pony. He uses his core strength and body quickness to mix up his rush attack, although his lack of length will be tougher to overcome against NFL tackles. His measurements and play style give off Carl Lawson vibes.
It seems Emory Hunt of CBS, the Czar of the Playbook, is smitten with Walker as he described the Central Arkansas star in his 2025 Football Gameplan Draft Guide.
– Great ball get-off which puts him even at the hip of the offensive tackle, then subsequently using his natural leverage to dip under to get to the QB.
– Very comfortable on his feet, able to make moves while working toward the backfield. Does a good job of using quickness/agility to get the OL off-balance before shooting his hands into his chest.
– Excellent closing speed to the ball carrier, able to close once he sees blood in the water. Great week at the Senior Bowl.
The “great week at the Senior Bowl” line catches Joe’s attention and puts Walker on Joe’s radar. Licht puts a lot of stock into how guys practice in the days leading up to the Senior Bowl.
Brugler thinks Walker is a fourth-round pick. Hunt has Walker as his No. 7 defensive end. So perhaps Walker could go as high as the third round on Friday night?
Like Walker, Shaq went to a small school, too, Colorado State. But at least the Rams play in the FBS, not the FCS, which is basically Division I-AA ball.
Central Arkansas Edge David Walker is arguably the most underrated edge rusher in this draft class
People will look at his measurables and overlook him but that will not be a mistake I make
Great player and arguably an even better character guy pic.twitter.com/4MgF0HEwYe
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) April 14, 2025
April 15th, 2025 at 7:30 am
Nice find Joes. I like Elijah Roberts also.
April 15th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Nice. I love learning about the diamonds in the rough. He maybe worth a 5th or or definitely our 7th rounder on him.
April 15th, 2025 at 8:02 am
7 round or a walk on, the guy doesn’t have the height or weight to go against big nfl OTs. We need power on the D line.
April 15th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Would love Kenneth Grant or Walter Nolan in round 1.
April 15th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Walker vs Wirfs
Who wins?
Rhetorical question.
April 15th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Measurables are garbage. JTS = prototype edge size. Shaq & Reddick are too small and not long enough to sack/pressure the QB consistently.
Who would you rather have starting for you?
I’d take Walker in a heartbeat at the right pick, but would be confusing having two Walkers playing LB, one inside & one outside. LOL
Sounds like he’s feisty and has a solid motor… it’s all about tenacity.
April 15th, 2025 at 9:49 am
Bucs have verbally been high on Jose Ramirez, but he rarely even was active for any games. If Walker is a day 3 pick, is he a replacement for Ramirez, Marquis Watts, Mike Greene or someone on the practice squad?
April 15th, 2025 at 9:56 am
First one I’ve been interested in. I love small school picks. You can find a lot of gems there.
April 15th, 2025 at 10:00 am
That’s incredible production, and even more impressive accolades. If he’s there in the 4th, you take him.
April 15th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Bucs have two guys on the roster they swear work over Tristan Wirfs *in practice.* Of course, these are closed practices and you won’t find any video of two non-starters clowning Wirfs unless you can hack into the Bucs’ computer network — if such video even exists.
Yet these same two guys who (allegedly) run rings around Wirfs *in practice* cannot sniff a field while a game clock is running. And then they go out and sign Haason Reddick. And, oh yeah, they spent a second-round pick on a guy last year and probably will draft another edge rusher next week.
Actions speak louder than words.
April 15th, 2025 at 10:01 am
buc4evr Says:
April 15th, 2025 at 8:02 am
7 round or a walk on, the guy doesn’t have the height or weight to go against big nfl OTs”
Weight is something that can be adjusted.
Same with power.
I haven’t checked, but apparently he is heavier than Shaq? If so, weight is not an issue.
Height might be. Not so sure though. Being a little smaller also gives him better leverage.
April 15th, 2025 at 10:23 am
If this guy is there in the 3rd we would be so lucky.
I like a 6 ft 270 pound jitterbug against a 6-5 tackle. His low center of gravity creates mismatches against tackles who play tall.
We found Diaby in fhe 3rd. McMillan in fhe 3rd. Dean and Davis in the 3rd. Godwin in fhe 3rd. Tykes Smith in the 3rd.
I really hope we can get lucky in the 3rd again.
Maybe even trade away some late picks to get another 3rd?
April 15th, 2025 at 10:29 am
One of the few who comes from a similar defense. I like the heavier dude on the edge if he has the ability to move well. the combine numbers seem to say he can. so does the tape but smaller school competition.
4the round? Worth a shot if we dont get one of the top rated two in the first.
Go Bucs!
April 15th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Jason’s got this. Invest in beef. Have a scotch.
April 15th, 2025 at 11:04 am
Isn’t Watts and Ramirez around the same size?
Sounds like we already have a version of this guy on the roster and neither of them are blowing it up. You can find them by the dozen in free agency. There are so many rare exceptions where I guy of his measurables manages to make an impact at the NFL level, and he better have a toolbox full of moves, because he’s not blasting through an NFL 6-6 300 lb tackle. There’s a reason why 6-0 OLB/DEs aren’t drafted AT-ALL, their size gets neutralized at the pro level. Reddick would have NEVER been drafted in the first round as an OLB/DE…not happening.
April 15th, 2025 at 11:22 am
I remember Emory Hunt saying JTS was the best pass rusher in his draft class too….LOL
April 15th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Dwhite Freeney was 6′ 2″ 263, this kid is 6′ 260. JTS was tall. Never saw him get under a tackles pads, and drive him on his back. Saw a dance with many though. I’d spend a 5th rounder on him.
April 15th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
It’s all about leverage and he definitely has it. He might be smaller but his lower body moves like someone we all know. Uh oh, does Aaron Donald ring a bell. Let’s see what he can do first against real competition, then we can anoint him. As usual the jump into the tough NFL takes its toll on most rookie defensive linemen, especially from smaller schools.
April 15th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Kaimon Rucker could be another steal & he’s around the same size.
April 15th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Sounds pretty good. Wish a bit taller. 4th or 5th round sounds reasonable unless we find better bets.
April 15th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
The Bucs have two small college players in the roster right now who had a bunch of sacks in college and they can’t seem to get on the playing field. Do they need company on the bench?
April 15th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
1. DT Nolen or Grant or Harmon
2. EDGE Ezeirauku or Scourton or Jalon Walker (if he falls)
3. ILB Knight or Schwesinger or Chris Paul
4. CB Cobee Bryant or Nohl Williams or Zy Alexander
5. Double up at EDGE OLB Walker or Gillotte or Swinson (if one falls, else draft OT swing tackle)
7. Safety/Special teams
April 15th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Todd Blows: There’s a .000001 chance the Bucs draft Nolan, if you’ve read anything about him and now anything about what the Bucs look for in players.
April 15th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
If we are pounding the table for a pass rusher projected to go around where the Bucs pick in round four it better be for JJ Pegues. I like Walker later but he isn’t versatile enough and really seems to have hit his ceiling already. He’d be a pass rush specialist only who has no real hope of being anything but a Britt-like liability in pass coverage. He doesn’t have the body to build more strength onto and there isn’t any way to add inches to his arms or height.
DT JJ Pegues is the most fascinating draft prospect I’ve ever seen. He is a converted TE with Vince Willfork like measurables who somehow has legit running back skills and bends around the edge as well as Ezeiruaku. His spider graph is like a tiny little asterisk- he basically spit the bed in every drill and measurement except the bench press but he is undoubtedly one of the best atheletes in the draft. He talked to both RB and TE coaches at the combine and is going to play both ways as an across the line DL terror and short yardage weapon. Whoever drafts this guy is going to be enjoying sacks and fat guy TDs in 2025. I love fat guy TDs. Watch how he absolutely abuses Emory Jones in the Ole Miss vs LSU match-up and is consistently unstoppable as a short yardage back.
Additionally, he is going to be a perennial Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist. The kid was born in Oxford Mississippi, plays ball in Oxford, Mississippi but that is not why he is known as the “Mayor of Oxford.” Everyone in town calls him that because he has been involved in too much good civic work to list from the time he was a little kid. Great young man from a truly great family who give all they can to their community because that is who they are in their hearts and souls.
Pound the table, pound the floor, pound the walls, pound the ceiling for this kid. I’d take him in round two without hesitation.
April 15th, 2025 at 6:46 pm
90% look at the tape and the type of person..,.less than 10%=measurables
April 15th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
How funny is it going to be when they don’t pick an edge rusher in this draft?
April 16th, 2025 at 4:44 am
Just draft three edge rushers and two linebackers and a corner no matter what. I think Licht takes a pass rusher in round one. Fits his MO to sign a free agent and draft that position to fill a weakness
April 16th, 2025 at 5:42 am
This guy looks pretty good.
What I saw on the tape matches what was written about him.
I’m no expert when it comes to breaking down the mechanics of what I’m actually seeing on tape.
But what I saw reminded me of watching Shaq. Jason Licht and his crew should take a look at this guy.
April 16th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
I love listening to the couch warriors screaming for one guy over another during the weeks leading up to the draft. It is pretty funny. I like looking at the prospects and looking at Mock drafts but really do not care that much because I have no idea, just like half the NFL teams and every person commenting online. I will gladly roll with what Licht and team do because the track record is one of the best in the NFL
That said, can’t wait for the draft!
April 17th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
Dude had very good combine numbers for 260 lbs. for what its worth.