It Appears The Bucs Got A Steal With David Walker And They Know It
April 27th, 2025
David Walker, the Bucs’ new rookie edge rusher, triggered a Super Bowl comment at One Buc Palace.
Boy, Joe doesn’t want to jinx anyone, but it sure seems like the Bucs thought they won the lottery yesterday when they selected Central Arkansas terror edge rusher David Walker.
This Walker had 82 (!) tackles for loss in four college seasons. That’s wild!
When NFL.com showed the Bucs were on the clock, out of the blue, Joe got a text from someone with the Bucs. It was a simple, four-word sentence.
“I love this pick.”
Who did they pick? Joe frantically scrolled Twitter to get some sort of leaked news and kept hitting the F-5 button to get a laptop to refresh NFL.com.
Then the name appeared. “David Walker, Central Arkansas.”
OK, the Bucs loved the pick. Otherwise they wouldn’t have picked Walker. But dang he had serious production at Central Arkansas. And he held his own very well in the Senior Bowl practices with the big boys.
A few hours later, the Bucs released video of the moment the team decided to pull the trigger on Walker. Outside linebackers coach Larry Foote raced over, bear-hugged Bucs AC/DC-loving Jason Licht and hollered, “THAT’S HOW YOU WIN THE SUPER BOWL, BAY-BEE!!!”
Head coach Todd Bowles and vice president of player personnel Mike Biehl wore such huge smiles, Joe thought maybe each won a brand new Mustang from Bill Currie Ford.
Bowles could barely wipe the smile off his face when he spoke to Walker. Licht was high-fiving folks.
All for a fourth-round pick?
Their reaction, combined with the text Joe received, tells Joe the Bucs think they got one over on the league by picking Walker.
DL David Walker is going to give the Krewe everything 🫡 pic.twitter.com/tLI2cI4vYr
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2025
April 27th, 2025 at 9:30 am
Body type and small school, reminds me of Hugh Douglas from back in the day. That turned out pretty well.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:30 am
We are getting many high grades for that pick.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:32 am
55 pressures last season…..yeah we did good! Then Elijah after that? Come on.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:38 am
I think it is because they did amazing in the draft. All of these guys will hopefully be productive. Their character and production are all top notch, which tells me they want to compete and perform. They may also be fine sitting the bench till their name is called, which sometimes happens.
These guys are all solid and I’ve never been more excited for this team. There was no trading, or anything crazy that we had to do to get these picks. They all fell into our laps.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Well done Bucs!!! Very happy with this draft!!!
April 27th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Yes, that is an intriguing pick! I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in camp. Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Love the pick,think we had great draft again ,of course time will tell,Jason come a long way since roberto agguayo
April 27th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Elvis Dumervil 2.0. This dude is a dog!
April 27th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Polished animal added to the d-Line is great. Tenacious and consistent.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:00 am
My nephew is OL coach for UMHB D3 school that played David Walker. His text to me was “You guys got a steal. We couldn’t stop him. He single handedly killed us when we played.”
April 27th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Rubbertoe Agguaynooooo! was definitely the worst pick Licht’s ever made.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:15 am
Steve, I was thinking about a combo of dummerville and Mack. Dummerville with the stature and Mack with the small school and propensity for TFLs.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Jason stuck to his script and I’m pleased. The mosquito in the 7th is a throw away, unless he in fact is the dwarf they’ll have Vita use to hurl at quarterbacks.
Wait – that’s what I wanted.
A+
April 27th, 2025 at 10:24 am
He’s 6’1″, while Dumerville was 5’11”. He’s more like Robert Mathis to me, though I can see how his game might resemble Dumerville’s as well. If you ever watched the Colts when they had Manning, both he and Freeney were outstanding. Personally, I’d say he’s a mix of Freeney and Mathis, but of course, that’s subjective. Either way, we’d be lucky if he played like any of those guys!
I watch WAY too much FOOTBALL! 🤣 🤣 🤣
April 27th, 2025 at 10:26 am
These are some great comparisons. I watched only a little highlights, but he jumped off the screen as a power and burst guy.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:32 am
i think lawson was 6-2 260
April 27th, 2025 at 10:36 am
The next high motor John Randle!
LFG!!!
April 27th, 2025 at 10:37 am
The more I read the more I like. Move inside and grow from semi-beast to beast.
This is a great draft on paper. Of course, they need to show up and prove it with pads. Hence why preseason games are not worthless.
I just hope if the 7th round skeeter starts emitting Darden fumes, we cut him early and get someone else who might actually develop.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Once we had not picked up an edge rusher in rounds one through three as we’re sitting there getting close to 4:00 this was the guy I was hoping we were going to get over Sawyer over Kennard.
I find it happens every year that there is a couple of guys that they’re talent just really shows out when you watch the tape but because of some element of an ideal body type that they don’t possess has them fall down the boards. If this guy had been 2 in taller he would have gone in the second round. If he was 2 in taller and played for a larger school he would have been a first rounder. This was a perfect pic and that we didn’t burn high draft pick and yet got exactly the type of player that can excel for this team.
It was amazing to watch his power and because of his slightly smaller height that he seems to get low and always win The leverage battle against tackles. Already has a great aresenal of moves…. I actually think when you consider him Braswell Reddick and Diaby the pass rush looks like it will be just fine. And Nelson is always a solid piece and great against the run…
April 27th, 2025 at 10:43 am
I watched some highlights of David.
He hits like a freight train.
If he can elevate what he did in college to the NFL level, he’s going to be an absolute terror!
April 27th, 2025 at 10:48 am
MadMax, while the Elijah pick is a solid choice, don’t you feel we were kinda blindsided by the Chiefs regarding Bassa, or were you not high on him?
April 27th, 2025 at 10:49 am
It is really clear that over the last 2-3 years Licht has changed his draft strategy. He is no longer taking guys based on potential development. Those type of “boom or bust” players rarely boom. Instead, Licht is now focused on guys with solid character, a love of the game and production in college. They may not always be the flashiest or the “sexiest” picks, and their evaluations are clearly different than the “experts” out there. But the last two drafts have shown that this is a strategy that generally yields players with higher floors and players that are motivated to reach their maximum potential.
For those worried about who the Bucs didn’t pick on defense-just remember what everyone thought about the Bucs running game this time last year.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Might compare to when the Cowboys selected Thomas Henderson from Langston University!
April 27th, 2025 at 10:50 am
The beauty of this pick, aside from his motor and athleticism, is that he will be able to learn from Haason Reddick. This kid should develop into a long-term, high achieving, highly productive, BUC! LFG
April 27th, 2025 at 10:50 am
feel like its a positive that hes 25 . closer to his physical and mental prime
April 27th, 2025 at 10:54 am
Kinda shocked that Foote would be talking Super Bowl AND winning it. We are not even in the realm of conversation of the Super Bowl at this point. Lots of things need to be worked out and fixed mainly on defense before that becomes a reality.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Not sure why the analyst’s keep saying the Bucs are an old team? sure LVD and ME are getting up there but I with all the picks playing the last few years I would consider us a young team
April 27th, 2025 at 11:04 am
I think it’s time for all of us to realize in today’s Football, these small school gets are reviewed more seriously & discussed more in depth? They know who they are getting. For that I trust the Bucs process, with the exception of very few! Trust the process!
April 27th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Not sure why Foote can’t talk about Super Bowl.
Eagles lost what 7 of their last 8 in 2023 and then started 2 and 2 in 2024 after being crushed by the Bucs. And the whole of Eagles Nation wanted to fire their coach. They were giving up 25 points a game. Once their 2 new corners played better, their defense was better.
Who don’t you think we can beat in the NFC?
April 27th, 2025 at 11:13 am
Bucks are definitely not an old team. I think some people say that only because our most outstanding players we’ll all be 30 and over once the season begins.
But what Jason has done has grow a team with the draft over the last 4 years or so that we have an excellent core of players all in their twenties.
And like they said a couple years ago they are not starting from scratch when they draft but are rather reloading.
This year we reloaded at wide receiver and the secondary as well as on the defensive front. Elijah Roberts is our reload of William Gholston and from the looks of it will likely even be able to start right away over Logan Hall. When we drafted Hall he was 270 lb and had to bulk up to 300. Robert’s already is 295 and can likely get to 305 easily and looks like a much better pass rusher. Would be a very dynamic front three with him Kancey, and Vita Vea.
Egbuka is the reload for Chris Godwin. I suspect had tet McMillan not been picked before us he might have been the reload for Mike Evans.
Morrison is the reload for Jamel Dean and is an improvement as well.
Walker is our Shaq Barrett reload
If I was the GM I likely would have drafted safety around 3:00 but I guess they really feel that Smith playing at safety will guarantee him being on the field for the entire game and he is such a playmaker, that no safety available in this year’s draft after Malachi Starks would hav bee been as good at the position. That allowed them to draft Jacob Parrish put him in the slot where he will excel.
so the more I sit back and look at this draft I realize that while they were picks out there that I thought were sexier based on all the mock drafts I have seen I know I’m starting to understand the process by which the Buccaneers have put together this draft class and previous ones to create a winning culture with great talent.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Should provide solid rotation in his rookie year, bring some fresh Heat! Late in the games
April 27th, 2025 at 11:26 am
Maybe this guy will be a real sleeper. Like his speed and quickness. Seems a lot like Donovan Ezukunspellablename from BC. We will see. Hope he isn’t given the Braswell treatment. Let’s play him right away and see what we have. Not entirely sold on Hassan Reddick. His numbers last year for whatever reason were underwhelming. When you are paid to play professional football, you don’t pout, you play.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Man, if you watch the interviews with each of the players drafted by the Bucs, you see that the “character” trait is something the organization takes very seriously. These guys all seem to be stand-up people. Very likeable! I love it. Let’s just hope their play on the field is just as admirable.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:37 am
Light didn’t pick aguayo, light didn’t start having full draft control until after koetter was fired. Lovie hired licht so he held all the power and koetter was handed the keys and had more than most new head coaches have.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:40 am
What Canabuc said about “ideal body type”–Goedeke shouldn’t even be attempting to play tackle in the NFL, and yet he grades out in the top 20% of all the tackles in the league after only 2 years
April 27th, 2025 at 11:49 am
Watched his highlights. Although he played against lesser talent, the way he rushes, and plays will transfer to the NFL. You either have that pass rush gene, or you don’t. JTS didn’t have it. This kid has it in spades.
April 27th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
Baking with Grizz Says:
The next John Randle!
^^^^^
That’s the best physical and play style comparison yet.
April 27th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Buc Fan in Phoenix … we are absolutely in the SB conversation. Pre draft Bucs were ranked 6th best roster in the league. With better health this is a 12 win team.
If you wanna point to Bowles and/or Mayfield to say they aren’t good enough to go all the way… time will tell.
We have top 5 lines and a top 5 O… that’s what gets you there if things break the right way for us…
April 27th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
What a beast!
Granted, he was plowing over small school opposition, but he bulldozed those who were trying to block him.
Makes one wonder how he slipped to the fourth round.
April 27th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Glad to hear Foote and the organization feel like they got a winner and it looks like they have good reasons to believe it. Definitely cheering for these draft picks! The future will tell how good this draft was but I think we have good reasons to believe this is another A+ draft!
April 27th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
This guy is a gem!
So happy we found an Edge that can contribute this year
April 27th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Bucs have done well with small school picks
This guy looks very quick and maybe the one no one saw coming
April 27th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
All this talk about John Randle got me thinking about the time Trent Dilfer went ground and pound to Randles’ head from full mount position and of course was ejected from the game , but Trent got his shots in.
April 27th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
I promise I’m not trying to be rude, but how old are you guys posting here? Hahaha—John Randle is definitely a blast from the past! I thought I was going old school with my Robert Mathis comparison. Seriously was worried people would be like who’s that? But he was drafted the year Randle retired lmao….
April 27th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
64
April 27th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
I’m a man, I’m 40.
April 27th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
ALSO 64
April 27th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
32
April 27th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Put him in against a first string defense and see how he does. Not any of this JTMs starting against a second team tackle who teaches gym now
April 27th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
What he has translates, plain and simple. The production is ridiculous, even for FCS.
The guy won the Buck Buchan award (for Top defensive player in FCS football) 3 years in a row. He’s older than one might like, but there’s no denying he’s a grown ass man.
Great pick!
April 27th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
I find this guy the most interesting of all our picks. That’s a lot of havoc he created. If he simply was pretty good there I might yawn, but he crushed it then did well against better players in the sr. bowl. I’m impressed.
April 27th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
I’m 64.
April 27th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
The pro comparison I see is… Shaq Barrett.
Walker: 6′ 1″, 264lb, 40 time of 4.69s
Shaq: 6’ 1’’, 260lb, 40 time of 4.73s
There’s a lot more numbers, and mostly Walker tests a bit better, although Shaq had a better 3-cone. Anywho, I think the Bucs saw that too, and they know what worked in this defense.
While being 25 isn’t a good thing in general when drafting, it also means Walker has a ton of experience already, and is physically mature and should be ready to go early – that is backed up by his great Senior Bowl performance.
For those who worry about him being from a small school – the saying with pass rushers is that pass rush skills translate no matter the level.
For a 4th round pick, if you’re going edge, this is about as good of a scenario as you can come up with for a team that is trying to win now.
April 27th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Saskbucs Says:
If you wanna point to Bowles and/or Mayfield to say they aren’t good enough to go all the way… time will tell.
We have top 5 lines and a top 5 O… that’s what gets you there if things break the right way for us…
====================================
Mayfield will get Bucs to multiple Super Bowls if healthy. Hard to name many QB’s who did more for their team in the last couple of years than Baker. That comment that we have heard before about Mayfield “getting or not getting” a team to the Super Bowl is foolish. The guy has the arm talent, brains and leadership skills that most teams crave. Hope it is this season. Might have been if we had just a mediocre defense. Maybe we have upgraded to a mediocre defense with the draft and other new players. Eagles won the last SB because their defense shut down Mahomes.
April 27th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Saskbucs,
Also, the O line was just OK last year on pass protection. Mayfield bailed them out many times last season with timely scrambles.
April 27th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
@Saskbucs…not many are recognizing what you’re saying about our Oline, and I agree with you, especially when we had to start passing vertically for more than 10 yards, after the short game was sniffed out early. Pocket wasn’t great on those 3rd downs. I’m hoping maturity + another offseason of line gelling will iron that out.
Regarding Walker, I feel like every damn year we get hyped over our draft, and sometimes it’s just meh. I don’t know what to think about Walker. Smaller guy, produced a lot of stats at a small school. For a 6-1 guy, he’s built bigger. We’re hoping he’s the exception as far as 6 foot pass rushers being consistently disruptive. I will say this, we may only have him for his rookie deal. Given his age, smaller guys in his position decline quick. Shaq Barrett is a great example of what happens when you’re a smaller OLB and you get to 30, play drops off because the tools you needed to succeed as a smaller pass rusher, are less useful when your speed and quickness declines.
April 27th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
This is my favorite pick of the draft.
April 27th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Don’t have to tell me Gipper! My comment was more about being diplomatic as opposed to dumping on the guy whose comment I responded to.
I love Baker, his scramble ability definitely bailed us out a lot last season and I absolutely believe he has what it takes to get to and win a SB. I strongly believe the roster is a SB contending roster and with better health we can get there in roughly 9 months.
April 27th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Interesting seeing some ages … I am 37 … 50th year for Bucs – 25th year of being a Bucs fan. Cannot wait to see a game in Tampa this season!
April 27th, 2025 at 5:45 pm
I’m 36 myself. Appreciate the responses!
April 27th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
@Saskbucs ..Indeed! Intend on taking my sun this upcoming season
April 27th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
The scouting report on Walker says that Walker tends to get pushed upfield past quarterbacks. That speaks to a lack of fundamentals and technique. Hope coaching can cure that and hoping for the best out of him🤞
April 27th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
I know I’m a homer but I seriously like every pick the Bucs made at their positions in the draft. No trades up or down, just stayed patient and it sure looks like they played their hand well, right to the end with Tez. Production as you said yesterday, all of these players are very productive and could all very welll make the team. 💯💯💯
April 27th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
I wanted the Egyotian from Boise State too!
Detroit got him in the 6th.
He was also top 3 in pressures in college football like our 5th round pick.
But this was a great draft!
If they can stay healthy, I expect to see some good players!
I love the 2 CB.
1 outside. 1 nickel.
I actually think 5-9 is great height for a nickle. Why? Because they cover a lot of a lot WRs. They must have a low center of gravity.
And finally we get my 4.3 CB!
I’ve been screaming since 4.6 Johnathan Banks. And 4.6 Leonard Johnson.
Never ever draft a CB who runs above a 4.45, 4.5, max. Ever!
It’s a rule.
I love these picks.
David Walker is the opposite of Joe “trying to be Drake” Tryon Shoyinka.
JTS was too pretty. Too graceful. Too soft.
David Walker looks like the opposite of JTS
April 27th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
I’d rather have David Walker for a 4th round pick than James Pearce Jr. for 2 first round picks. Licht is winning at the draft game.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Even if it doesn’t work out, the 4th round is where you hedge your bets. We have done this too many times in the end of the 1st round and 2nd round, so I’m glad this pick was in the 4th. I hope he develops more moves, but he already looks more versatile than JTS. JTS hung his hat on speed and nothing else.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:14 pm
Jerry West, who I believe was the best talent evaluator in pro sports history, always prioritized character. It seems the Bucs GM is on the same wave length. And the Bucs will be all the better for it. Great job!
Go BUCS!
April 27th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
His build is actually insane. 6’0 and 262.. Just a stout beast of a man. Someone said nobody was able to stop his bull rush at the senior bowl. How does someone like this get to the 4th round?
April 28th, 2025 at 12:39 am
Production. This guy has massive production every single year. He’s fast and plays with leverage and has moves upon moves. He doesn’t just rely on speed or power. He does look like an absolute steal and I’ve seen a couple articles saying just that.
The other kid who was with hurricanes and went to SMU Looks pretty good too. I think they just drastically improved the depth and future for the edge rushers on this team
Yaya and Braswell better get after it this year
April 28th, 2025 at 2:12 am
Walker may be a steal. He dominated at the lower level FCS. TFLs are off the chart. Showed up at the Senior Bowl and impressed against the best. Pass rush as well as run defense will help him see the field this year with Todd valuing the later so much. Ramirez and Watts should be worried.
Posted this right after we made the pick and turns out Joe and I agree. LOL
Go Bucs!
April 28th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
Did any of you read the scouting report on Walker. I agree on video and paper he looks great but he is also not an every down player and again he is lacking in some fundamentals and technique. If he is a coachable player those things can be overcome and I hope they are.
April 28th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
A coachable player needs a competent HC.
We are lacking big time in that area.