Will David Walker Live Up To The Hype?
August 2nd, 2026
Rookie edge rusher David Walker.
For goodness ‘ sake, Joe has to hope Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht knocks this one out of the park.
Joe is starting to become convinced Licht could draft the next Bruce Smith and KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles will try to turn him into John Lynch.
In the opening series of training camp, Joe saw Rueben Bain dropping back into coverage. Just today Joe saw a disturbing flashback to the Buffalo loss last year when YaYa Diaby was 20 yards downfield trying to cover Tez Johnson.
It appeared YaYa was expecting help and to hand off Tez to a corner or safety. There was no one home. Touchdown, Tez.
Enter David Walker. The poor guy basically had his rookie year stolen. He blew out. knee at the end of the Bucs’ first padded practice last year. This offseason, he got hyped so much by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht that when Licht appeared on “Wakeup Barstool” and was talking about Walker, the show’s host, “T-Bob,” son of former slimy Saints quarterback Bobby Herbert, had to gently change the subject and cautioned Licht that a national TV audience is not likely to be interested in a fourth-round pick from Central Arkansas.
Walker has had a “sack” every day in practice — remember, quarterbacks cannot get touched. He’s taken snaps on the first team. Joe saw that today. Joe also saw Walker taking snaps with the third team. Joe does not like to see that.
It’s one thing to beat Luke Goedeke. It’s a whole lot different if you are getting sacks against a guy who in a month will be back at his welding job in Wheeling.
Walker desires to help the Bucs make a difference from the edge this fall.
“Last year, we were bombed with injuries,” Walker said. “We really didn’t have that kind of pressure that we have this year.
“I feel like this year we’re more together. [Bucs defensive coaches] they speak on, ‘Four to one.’ That’s all of us; if one of us [isn’t] rushing, then somebody has to win.
“That’s the mentality that we’re going in [with], that’s the standard and hopefully we can set that throughout the whole season.”
Walker emphasized he feels 100 percent and is drooling to show his skills against a team with a different jersey. So far, Bowles likes what he sees.
“He’s got his quickness and his speed back,” Bowles said. “So, out of pads, he looks very good as far as his movements and everything else.
“I’m just excited to see him in pads. We didn’t get to see him in pads last year. Right now, he looks very good. He’s moving very fast.”
Look, Joe is rooting for Walker for several reasons: One, he was drafted by the Bucs. Two, the Bucs need an edge rush in the worst way. And three, Walker seems like a really good dude.
But at the end of the day, will Walker be used as an edge rusher and attack the quarterback, or will he be guarding receivers? An edge rusher cannot affect the quarterback if he’s back in coverage too much.
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:27 pm
How dare JL go on a national TV show and not talk about the same thing every other national TV shows talk about
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:32 pm
David Walker isn’t a rookie.
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:34 pm
I truly believe Walker will be a starter by week nine. Watch what little film I could, he resembles Bain so mutch ! Go Bucs,
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:40 pm
“It appeared YaYa was expecting help and to hand off Tez to a corner or safety. There was no one home. Touchdown, Tez.”
My God. Just how many times, do we have to see this!? It’s Unbelievable. He’s just STUCK inside of his OWN HEAD, Man. It’s like, “How DIFFICULT Can I Make-It On These Guys!? Hmmmm… Let’s See… Well, It Always Works Perfectly, In MY MIND.” He’s just not living in REALITY. It’s mind-blowing. I stopped caring a loooong time ago. Seriously though, HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL IT TAKE!? I watched that JL and T-Bob segment ‘live’ on WUB by the way, and I was thinking the exact same thing as T-Bob that day, right before he said it. I’m tired of hearing about all these guys from JL. It’s just as old to me, as Bowles strategy. This duo can’t last much longer.
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Will he live up to the hype?
Ummm.
What hype?
4th round pick from a Div 2 school who got hurt on day 1?
Hype?
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Oh – I can hear’em already…
Bubububububut Marine – he isn’t from a D2 skool!!!!!
Ya – I know silly.
But in today’s world it might as well be…
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Obvious which Joe wrote this.
I don’t care if he drops into a shallow zone if an LB or safety lights up the QB.
Wonder how many times this one broken/missed assignment will be highlighted by this Joe to continue the same old narrative that dropping linemen/OLBs is a horrible thing or something Todd does and NOT something about 30 teams do regularly.
Oh well, let’s go David – let’s show them what’s up 🏈💪🏼
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:57 pm
I was actually, pretty damn shocked that day, that T-Bob even knew WHO the hell he was. In all honesty.
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Should probably give up on Ted Hurst as well!
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:07 pm
@ Simple T Says: “this one broken/missed assignment will be highlighted…”
“ONE?” You can only ‘see-it’ on almost EVERY play. Players are completely LOST out there. It’s RIDICULOUS. When you don’t have the right personnel (&/or) coaching… You don’t continue ramming your head into the same WALL, over and over again. You should be trying to make it “SIMPLE” and use your player’s STRENGTHS. It’s INSANITY.
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:12 pm
If the pass rush using 4 isn’t any good this season then it’s definitely the TB scheme!! Bring on September! Won’t be long now!!!
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Licht’s track record drafting on receivers is second to none. Licht’s track record on drafting edge rushers is terrible.
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Heard he was taking Skule to School the past few days Haha. That’s funny. Not hitting yet in practice. Skule can’t punch Walker in the chest of the line. It’s nearly all a mirage out of pads. –Joe
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Unless Bowles sends at least five, one of the pass rushers is going to wind up in coverage. That’s always going to be the case.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Will David Walker Live Up To The Hype? In a word, NO.
He’s just a guy from a third rate college.
Licht simply cannot draft his way out of a paper bag.
Yeah he is gifted some first rounders that live up to the hype.
Beyond that it’s pure luck. OL and WR seem to be a skill he does have.
But he’s not some genius that he’s been built up to be.
Walker will never help get us to a SB as was stated with glee on draft night 2025.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:09 pm
Simple T well said. Also a lot of other DC use it too. JOE you weren’t complaining during the SB year we had JPP , Shaq and Vea all drop into coverage. Quit the complaining.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:14 pm
I’m imagining a lineup with Kancey and Bain on the inside and Diaby/Walker on the outside. Somebody is getting home!
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Tez Johnson? How was YaYa (not) covering Tez Johnson in the Buffalo game?
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:18 pm
“That’s funny. Not hitting yet in practice. Skule can’t punch Walker in the chest of the line. It’s nearly all a mirage out of pads“
Technique is technique, you could be butt naked or wearing samurai armor, but it’s been consisntely said but others covering the same practice you were today.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Joe, if he does live up to the hype, I guarantee opposing offenses will know who he is.
Watch his tape.
He hits like a freight train.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:40 pm
No
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Last year of Todd Bowles. Wouldn’t be surprised if Licht makes him turn over defensive play calling duties at some point this season. Next year maybe we bring Jason Taylor in as DC, with Robinson taking over for Bowles.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:59 pm
Back when Shaq Barrett was getting 16+ sacks a season for Todd, I have a hunch neither Joe ever wrote complaining about the scant 13% of the time he spent in a zone covering so someone else could blitz. This narrative is so tiresome and total nonsense.
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:00 pm
You never know who will end up the next big franchise player
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:01 pm
Also, this guy getting a sack every single day is an amazing accomplishment! Let’s hope it translates to the regular season and he will be replacing Yaya in a hurry!
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:11 pm
@ summers .
All teams need pure luck!! Not just tampa
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:14 pm
Rinse and Repeat defense.
For all you people that don’t know Gruden but would love him as a coach. Todd is just as stubborn as Gruden. They both force players to adapt to the scheme rather than focusing on their talent.
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:15 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:07 pm
@ Simple T Says: “this one broken/missed assignment will be highlighted…”
“ONE?” You can only ‘see-it’ on almost EVERY play. Players are completely LOST out there. It’s RIDICULOUS
—————————–
Almost every play ? That’s RIDICULOUS
Take off those sh$t colored glasses bro… You’ll be happier
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:17 pm
Are we to assume Walker > Braswell?
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:22 pm
I just hope he can stay healthy, I’m sure he was crushed how last year went down.
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:23 pm
Melvin is that same dude that calls in to WDAE frequently. He tells how the Rays are gonna collapse, other then they’re playing great baseball!!
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:38 pm
He was covering Tez Johnson during Buffalo game? That’s messed up…. 🫣
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:43 pm
JPP and Barrett also dropped into coverage.
Our defense blitzes. A lot. And we have a great blitz package.
We have the most unblocked sacks in the NFL.
That means sacks where the blitzer isn’t even touched on his way to the QB.
That’s a great stat.
Hassan Reddick was awful last year. Aldon Smith stole a year from us.
We have sucked at OLB, DE and DT since we lost Suh, JPP, Gholston and Barrett.
We won a Super Bowl when we had JPP, Barrett, Suh and Gholston.
With Bowles defense.
We have just lacked the talent AND depth the last few years.
Hopefully, we have the 10 man D line to actually get some sacks!
Bain
Yaya
Mohammed
Nelson
Walker
Kamara
Braswell
Nacho
Kancey
Vea
Robinson
Elijah Roberts
Elijah Simmons
Capehart
This is EASILY the deepest EDGE/ D line group I’ve ever seen under Bowles.
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Teac with a left hook of common sense! Down goes Frazier Down goes Frazier!
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:31 pm
Dropping back in coverage is not a bad thing. Edge rushers on every team do it.
SummerofGeorge, you clearly have not followed his draft picks. He specializes in finding small school talent.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:33 pm
In my opinion, David Walker is nothing…until he proves himself to be otherwise.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:50 pm
I agree with most comments here. Let’s see the guy produce.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:21 pm
Kinda weird not seeing 3.28.Evans and lynchmob not commenting
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Roberts is better. MJ needs to change handle to Angry Melvin.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:57 pm
Why would Diaby be covering Tez Johnson in the Buffalo game? Did Diaby sign a one game contract with the Bills and we missed it???
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:12 pm
Hype and reality meet here: Walker is a 3rd down pass rushing specialist. If get gets in on 40% of the snaps and makes 5-6 sacks a season – that’s a win for a 4th round pick.
Don’t expect any more than that and everyone should be happy with the results. If he were an truly exceptional talent he wouldn’t have been there in the 4th round and the Bucs wouldn’t be looking to play him mostly on passing downs.
Keep clear of hype – read scouting reports and watch tape.
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:23 pm
What’s more tiresome, the “narrative” about Bowles having outside linebackers dropping back in coverage of the face that Bowles has never developed an edge rusher?
(Shaq was a veteran when the Bucs signed him. He learned from Wade Phillips.)
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:24 pm
I think it’s great. Keep doing what you can to get ready, DW.
A lot of people pulling for you after last year!
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:26 pm
Sure. Been going on for years. Decades. But also coaches who use that also believe in getting after the quarterback.
The *most* important position on a defense is an edge rusher. But Bowles doesn’t believe in that. Worked out fabulously, hasn’t it?
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:02 pm
Sigh. Multiple days of practice. Two sightings of two OLBs dropping back in coverage. Oh, the horror.
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:05 pm
Dropping Bain into coverage is grounds for Bowles immediate firing.
Nothing has changed.
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:14 pm
Is it really that hard to believe Bowles would minimize the importance of an edge rusher when we didn’t have one worth a spit on our roster? Doesn’t mean he doesn’t think they are important in general. We certainly tried to draft competent ones. We didn’t have much luck drafting great athletes with only one year of production. It’s incredibly difficult to find a competent edge rusher with the late picks we always have. We got extremely lucky this year and got as close to a sure thing as we can get.
Also- Walker is almost identical in size to Bain and was a monster against the run in school too, so there’s no way to know if he can adapt into an every down player at this level or not. I’m thinking it’s possible, anyway…he sure is quick for his size! And a hard hitting tackler.
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:18 pm
Davenport says: I know nothing about a 3-4 defense and what outside linebackers/edges do in such a defense. Go read about it and come back. Sometimes they even get interceptions! Ask Barrett about that…
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:39 am
FYI, Tez Johnson = Tyrell Shavers… Winfield and Morrison started staring down watching the QB when he scrambled to the opposite side instead of the TWO receivers running routes on their side of the field…Winfield covered the inside WR… Morrison should’ve had the outside WR
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:41 am
Tim Says:
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:32 pm
David Walker isn’t a rookie.
____________________
David Walker still hasn’t completed a padded practice for this team. By all intents and purposes, he’s still a rookie, even if he did spend a season getting paid to rehab.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:53 am
A Defensive Minded Coach that their Defense has steadily gotten worse the past 3 seasons, hmmm wonder why fans are being critical.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:58 am
2023 (344YPG 23rd). 2024 (385YPG 26th) 2025 (395YPG 29th)
Tighten up Bowles !!!!