Central Arkansas Bears edge rusher David Walker is one of the top small-school prospects in the NFL Draft, and he dominated at the FCS level. Now heading to the NFL, where does the Arkansas native project?
Walker’s scouting report explores everything you need to know about the Central Arkansas pass rusher and how his strengths will translate to the NFL.
David Walker Scouting Report
Size: 6’1”, 267 pounds
Key Stat: 55 pressures, 23 TFLs, 12 sacks in 12 games in 2024.
Projected Role: Developmental wide alignment pass rusher
Strengths
- Extremely productive at the FCS level. Dominated the competition, impacting the offensive line in every game.
- He is always the best athlete on the field.
- Immediate explosive movement. Sharp change of direction and urgent, powerful first step.
- Converts speed to power and attacks offensive linemen’s chests with force.
- He has a strong arsenal of pass-rush moves that he could use more often.
- Impressive strength to create leverage while maintaining the physicality to shed blocks against the run.
- Sideline to sideline range. Excellent pursuit ability, capable of covering the entire field and tracking down defenders across the line of scrimmage.
- Punchy hand placement while rushing the passer which also becomes an effective tool for disengaging in the run game.
- Bends the edge with flexibility. Natural body control and bend, with sufficient ankle flexion to turn the corner quickly.
- Relentless motor. A fiery competitor, always finishing plays with intensity and aggression.
- Plays with a heat-seeking missile mentality in the run game, plowing through traffic and relentlessly attacking the ball carrier.
Areas To Improve
- Lack of length. At 6’1″ with 31 3/4″ arms, he sometimes over-extends, leaving him vulnerable and reaching for blockers. His aggressive playstyle can mask these deficiencies, but they remain a concern.
- He plays tall at times, sacrificing leverage, which can hinder his ability to generate power and bend effectively.
- Relies too much on his bull rush, meaning he can be predictable. He needs to play stronger if it will be his go-to move in the NFL.
- Due to his tall playstyle, his performance can be inconsistent, as he struggles with maintaining leverage on certain plays.
- Faced lower-level competition, meaning there may be a significant adjustment to the NFL.
David Walker’s NFL Draft Outlook
Walker is generating significant buzz among NFL scouts with his aggressive playstyle, athleticism, and dominant production. His explosive burst off the line, quick changes in direction, and ability to turn speed into power make him a consistent disruptor, evident in his 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2024.
The Central Arkansas pass rusher’s diverse toolkit of pass-rush moves, combined with a relentless motor, allows him to pressure quarterbacks. He consistently finishes plays with violence and aggression while using his body flexibility, physicality, and hand placement to overwhelm offensive linemen.
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However, Walker’s sub-32″ arms can leave him vulnerable to longer offensive tackles, and his reliance on the bull rush means he will need to further utilize his entire bag of pass rush moves and mix up his pursuit plans in the NFL.
The Bears mostly used the pass rusher outside the tackles in the wide-nine alignment, and he will have to adapt and use different angles at the next level.
Bottom Line: With development, Walker has the physical tools to make an impact and could become a valuable Day 3 pick. A combination of athleticism, strength, and motor means the Bears’ pass rusher will be coveted early on Day 3.
Throw in Walker’s developmental arch and athletic traits, and there is a recipe for success in the NFL.
Draft Projection: Early Round 4
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