Overview
Position: Edge defender
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 251 pounds
School: Georgia Bulldogs
D’Andre Walker 2019 NFL Draft Profile
When it comes to standout high school prospects at weakside defensive end, few in the 2015 recruiting class were as coveted as D’Andre Walker. Rivals and Scout rated the Fairburn, GA native as a top 100 recruit nationally after he tallied 23.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss during his senior season at Langston Hughes High. Naturally, Walker received a multitude of scholarship offers from major collegiate programs but he decided to stay close to home and committed to Georgia.
As a true freshman, Walker made 13 appearances but did so primarily in a reserve role. In fact, he didn’t become a regular starter until his senior year. That said, his production during his sophomore and junior campaigns was pretty noticeable. His seven quarterback pressures in 2016 were third-best on the team and a year later his 5.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss were good enough for number two among UGA defenders. Coaches named him among the team’s most improved defensive players at the conclusion of his junior year.
Walker’s final season in Athens saw him break into the starting lineup and he didn’t disappoint. He registered 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback pressures, all of which led the team. Those weren’t his only contributions to the stat sheet from the standpoint of forcing negative plays. He added three pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Strengths
- a prospect who brings NFL-level length to the table;
- does a good job accessing the inside gap as a path to the quarterback;
- determined to get to the ball-carrier on the back side;
- capable of dropping weight to generate leverage;
- gets underneath arms of blocker as an edge bender;
- knows how to stack blocker, then counter inside;
- always looking to bat the ball down;
- keeps legs churning and boasts impressive lower body strength;
- can drop into coverage when necessary.
Weaknesses
- doesn’t show a lot of quick-twitch athleticism;
- instincts with respect to read and react in real time are a bit subpar;
- could become a more consistent wrap-up tackler;
- got “out-physicaled” by big maulers at times;
- needs to play with more active and violent hands;
- motor has a tendency to shift down a gear on some plays;
- might be limited to work in a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker;
- took until his senior year to become break into the starting lineup.
NFL Comparison: Uchenna Nwosu
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins
Projection: Second to third round
Bottom Line
Though Walker just started during his senior season, that’s not to say he wasn’t a consistent contributor throughout his time with Georgia. His junior year is particularly noteworthy in this regard as he was among the Dawgs most potent pass-rushers in a reserve capacity. Walker plays with impressive leverage at the point of attack, aided in large part by significant lower body power. He also has good tape from the standpoint of getting low and setting the edge.
However, Walker might be a bit undersized to play as an out and out edge defender. His body type is best-suited for work as an outside linebacker on a team that employs a 3-4 look. But in order to succeed in even that role, there are elements of Walker’s game that need further refinement. He has a tendency to get bottled up by big, physical tackles who know how to generate consistent leverage in the trenches. And unless he becomes a better tackler, especially defending the run, his every-down value might be limited.
The Georgia program has certainly produced starting-caliber talent in recent years. Roquan Smith and Leonard Floyd are probably the most prominent examples in the eyes of many NFL fans. Quite a few aspects of Walker’s skill set suggest he can join them. And it’s for that reason he won’t be on the board particularly long when day two of the draft comes along.
