The Kansas City Chiefs lose interior defensive linemen Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, and Tershawn Wharton to free agency after the 2024 season. That places a lot of stress on the team to add interior help through the 2025 NFL draft.
According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Deone Walker entered the season at 6’7.5″, 353 lbs with 34.5-inch arms and hands over 10.5 inches.
He’s a one-of-one prospect in this class. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant is the only other player who comes close to his size and mass along the defensive line.
Despite his size, Walker is an extremely versatile player. He lines up everywhere from nose tackle to 5-tech. He gets off the line quickly and uses his powerful upper body to displace offensive linemen. Walker’s twitchy hands attack the blocker’s hands and arms to prevent linemen from gaining access to his frame.
Walker’s pass rush plan includes bull rushes, clubs, club-swims, pull-swims and rip-spins. He stacks moves and uses counters to keep his rush alive. When all else fails, Walker latches onto the offensive lineman and pulls him off balance to create an opening.
Deone Walker’s tape is NIGHTMARE FUEL 🤯
Imagine having to block a 6’6, 350lb d-lineman who can play as a standup edge rusher… pic.twitter.com/44BWBzS1r7
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 13, 2024
Walker’s raw power helps him shed blocks and close lanes in the run game. However, his large frame and high pad level consistently cause him to lose the leverage battle. This makes it easier for offensive linemen to access his trunk and displace or knock him off balance.
Walker’s lower half is much thinner than his upper body. Combined with his pad level, this makes him unreliable at the point of attack despite his incredible size and strength. Walker doesn’t two-gap, which is alarming for a player with his physical profile. He needs to shift some weight on his frame and improve his late-game conditioning.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign, analysts believe Walker’s ceiling is the late first round, but he could sink as far as the late second round. Walker is only a junior, so he could return to school in 2025.
The Wildcats finish their season with a brutal stretch. They go to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST before playing against Louisville at home on Nov. 30.
