Is David Walker Simply A Smokescreen?
April 22nd, 2026
Joe is trying to get inside the head of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
All offseason, Licht professed his love for last year’s fourth-round pick edge rusher David Walker. He blew out his knee in training camp and never saw one snap all last year.
Beginning at the combine, Licht spent quite a bit of energy and oxygen waxing poetic about the traits and skillsets of Walker, who hails from Central Arkansas.
Joe always felt funny about that offseason hype because Walker has yet to finish a Bucs padded practice. Exactly why was Licht so excited for a guy who has yet to shed a block in practice, forget a game?
Joe chalked it up to Licht’s habit of giving everyone at One Buc Palace a shoutout for morale and nothing more.
So, is Walker a smokescreen? Additionally, is Al-Quadin Muhammad, a guy who had double-digit sacks for the Lions last year but never started a game, is he all that?
The reason Joe asks this is if all the folks who are pointing at the Bucs drafting Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round, well, we all know who is going to get the bulk of the snaps if the Bucs draft Mesidor. Hint: It isn’t going to be Walker and it isn’t going to be AQM.
No team invests a 15th-overall pick and the money that comes with such a pick for him to have a season ticket at games, sitting right next to the medical (?) peep show tent.
So Joe is trying to figure out if spending Team Glazer loot to buy AQM and all the public glossing for Walker is/was just a massive smokescreen?
Anyway, as Joe chews on that, Jenna Laine of ESPN is pretty sure Mesidor is coming to Tampa. In an NFL Nation mock draft where the beat writers of each team pick for the team they cover, Laine selected Mesidor at No. 15.
The Bucs haven’t had an edge rusher with double-digit sacks since Shaquil Barrett in 2021. General manager Jason Licht has been very open about this being a position they have not had great success in drafting. Mesidor gives them the production they’ve needed — 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles in his final college season — and coach Todd Bowles indicated he would not have a problem selecting a player who is 25 years old.
Here’s another angle: Licht has made it widely known he is craving to trade down. Was signing AQM and building up Walker just CYA moves by Licht in case he doesn’t get his man on the edge at No. 15?
The drama is what sells the draft. We will all find out in less than 48 hours. Tomorrow night!
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:02 am
Cheech and Chong enters chat.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:03 am
No more.nonsense about middle.round draft picks and their potential. It isn’t working for Licht.
Go get the pass rusher at 15 or trade up if you have to.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:08 am
Same moron that moved up in the 2nd for a kicker and wasted a 2nd on a backup QB, if not for Brady and BA he would’ve been fired years ago
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:16 am
Last year he spent the offseason waxing poetic about Braswell and the impeccable Buccaneers culture.
Dude talks more stupid ish than Orange Foolius.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:27 am
“if not for Brady and BA he would’ve been fired years ago.”
So why exactly did Brady and BA come here in the first place? I guess the existing framework just fell from the sky.
Agree with your other comment about the Aguayo blunder. Unforced error. Live and learn.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:39 am
Walker will fit right in with Lichts last 10 wasted picks on the D line.
Looks Like an All Pro As long as it’s not in a game, or in front of people.
Sounds about right.
Hopefully we draft another midget or tweener with our top pick.
I’ve given up up on our office after drafting a real NFL caliber Linemen
But we are building a fantastic PeeWee football D-line!
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:43 am
Guzzie is right on the money , except he left out trading back when he could have selected Devin Lloyd at LB-In the words of BB “What a Maroon”.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:57 am
All we know about Walker is what’s on tape from his college career and of course what people say about him. And what people say isn’t always accurate or even true.
The guess here is that the Bucs drop back in the draft, scoop up Kayden McDonald as the heir apparent to Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea and some how get J Rod in the second round.
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:58 am
Is that his favorite color?
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:01 am
Davis Walker and Mohammad are both DPRs. They aren’t three down OLBs and together they don’t add up to one so the Bucs are truly in need of drafting at least one of the many pass rushers in this draft.
When it comes to Mesidor I haven’t liked a consensus pick for the Bucs so much since Mike Evans but if he is gone Faulk plus one more year of JPP on the roster could be something. Faulk is a ball of clay that happens to be the exact same size as and moves like JPP except he has all his fingers. I know his tape and production are meh but so is pretty much every other option at 15 and Reese is going top 3 without ever forcing a turnover. This isn’t as awful a draft as it first seemed but it is all but headless. If Mesidor is gone and no one wants to trade for 15 I’d only really be pleased with Thieneman at 15. He is a better prospect than any DT is this draft and will give the Bucs twice as many snaps for the pick. Safety isn’t a need or a position worth spending a first rounder on but Thieneman would be a strong step toward making the middle of the field a no fly zone.
Remember when Schiano and Dominic traded their first rounder in a weak draft for Revis and were feeling so clever talking up their “No fly zone.” That went off like a wet fart but I think a trade for Maxx Crosby would work out significantly better. I’m not hoping for this but I am remaining open to all avenues. The Seahawks are trying to swing a trade for Myles Garrett. Maybe the Bucs should too?
Gabe Jacas, Zion Young, R. Mason Thomas, Romello Height or Derrick Moore could fill the void in round 2 but each have limitations.
Michael Heldman from Central Michigan is a day 3 player who I think is the most underrated pass rusher in the draft. He is a Bosa brother style player who, like Mesidor, is older but brings a level of refinement of his body and pass rush toolkit that will translate to year one impact.
I can’t wait to see David Walker in action for the Bucs but based on his size, draft position and injury the Bucs ought to be drafting as if he didn’t exist. There is no shortage of options, thankfully, but there aren’t many realistic top flight options like Mesidor and Crosby.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:06 am
Did any of his teammates go to his BIRTHday party???
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:06 am
Nope on Missthedoor
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:13 am
I’m always saddened when I see that pic above taken on 12/7/41. I’ll bet the survivors who witnessed THAT smokescreen were shell-shocked.
Anyways, back to Bucs…got a good feeling about the draft and what JL can bring this year. I pray we land a few studs and ballers, and that’s all we can hope for.
Go Bucs ! ! !
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:14 am
That IS a pic of Pearl Harbor, yes Joe? Sure looks like it.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:15 am
25 years old, a full grown man against men his last year in college
Product of the system and players around him
If he was HS why didn’t he come out 2-3 years ago?
Tom Stimus special !
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:19 am
I ain’t saying but
My perception of Diego Pavia was so far off and influenced by the media portrayal at the end of last season
WATCH the Jon Gruden YouTube channel interview with him
I would take a chance in the late rounds with him
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:23 am
“Faulk is a ball of clay that happens to be the exact same size as and moves like JPP except he has all his fingers.”
Funny you make this comp, because this is exactly how I feel about Malachi Lawerence. DE size with OLB athleticism that can set the edge, but also bend the edge rushing the passer.
I’d take Lawerence and his motor over Faulk, who tbh as of right now is a style(style, not raw talent-there’s a difference) of player we have in Nelly with a little more athleticism in my opinion.
Agree about drafting as if David Walker doesn’t exist, but it also lines up with opening the door in camp for guys to compete for the spot opposite of Yaya. Worst case you’ve got a player decent enough to start sitting, but on the flip side you could have a 3rd OLB to work into a line up siutationally.
Mesidor, in my opinion brings a little more value with being able to work inside/out, but I like Lawrence because he’s younger and his motor runs just as hot as any OLB in this draft.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:35 am
I think edge and LB in the first couple rounds
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:36 am
But not necessarily in that order.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:48 am
If they take Messidore at 15 it’s because they couldn’t trade back. I think we need a stud LB more than an Edge. CJ Allen or Jacob Rodriguez is better at 15 for me than an Edge because the difference is minimal between Messidore and half a dozen other Edge players that will be available in rounds 2-3. Once you get past
Rodriguez it leaves only Hill as a day one starting LB.
Can’t wait to stay up tomorrow night to see us trade back
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:49 am
No telling what Licht will actually do. I wouldn’t be surprised with Sadiq or Ioane. Hope he picks Mesidor, McDonald or Allen, but defense doesn’t seem to be a priority to Licht. One thing for sure, it will probably be a player that no one thought about. lol.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:54 am
Tampa2ATL Says:
April 22nd, 2026 at 7:02 am
“Cheech and Chong enters chat.“
Mexican Americans don’t like to get up early in the morning, but they have to, so they do it real slow….
Mexican Americans go to night school, and take Spanish, and get a B…..
Might as well have some fun while our beloved football team goes up in flames.
April 22nd, 2026 at 8:55 am
I just went back and watched all the Walker highlight films- and there are many. He’s definitely not a smokescreen and before the injury he had an absolutely elite first step and explosive closing speed. I don’t know how well his strength translates to the NFL, but he looked like Godzilla in Tokyo when he was playing and also won several reps at the Senior Bowl. I hope he didn’t lose any speed from the injury and gained even more strength…
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:06 am
Walker highlights came against guys selling Frontier cable in 2026
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:08 am
I’d love to see him practice against Wirfs and get Wirfs’ opinion of him.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:09 am
This seems to escape people. And for those who pine for John Lynch, go look what he has done with 49ers’ first round picks since he’s been running San Francisco. If that was Licht, he’d dancing at the end of a rope.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:14 am
SB- keep in mind the guy weighs 263 lbs at 6’1 and watch the highlight films. There’s some senior bowl footage too. Watch how he moves. Then come back.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:17 am
nobody drafts a 25 year old expecting to have to wait a year for anything walker was a massive gamble….but is turning into a failed pick that licht is becoming famous for. old or injured, or from some whack place like sam houston or south eastern north arkansas state community college university tech.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:20 am
Malachi Lawrence is another toolsy option and probably a better one than Faulk. It seems he has risen past the players I have listed as second round options despite the fact that presently his run defense is not close to where it ought to be for a three down OLB which is one reason why I didn’t include him.
Whether he goes in the first round or not he’ll put up some sacks for somebody in 2026 for sure and I expect will develop into an excellent run defender in time but Bowles doesn’t have time so thats the other reason I didn’t include him.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:27 am
I watched a lot of Walker after he was drafted and YES he looks AMAZING…
But this ain’t 1965 NFL
It’s another one of JL’s spin picks and that is a trend of his along with the local media not holding him accountable.
Hey !
I hope he plays as good as he looked before his injury.
I ain’t holding my breath because NOBODY makes a jump like that from unknown to ProBowl
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:28 am
Stick head into blade of running lawn mower.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:36 am
No. World War I. Might be the Battle of Jutland.
Back them, ships purposely created smokescreens so battleships couldn’t get a decent reading on them making their shells less accurate.
(Pretty sure Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II was the first naval engagement where enemy ships could not see each other.)
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:37 am
“They’re sticking with Bowles!!!” – Ira with pure glee
Looking forward to the endless parade of excuses for Todd in 2026.
Maybe it will be nerves due to his son being a coach.
I mean without Bowles, we don’t have Mayfield and his stellar 1-2 record in the playoffs as a Buc.
Baker is getting better though. No losses and zero picks in the playoffs for 2025.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:40 am
“admin Says:
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:36 am
That IS a pic of Pearl Harbor, yes Joe? Sure looks like it.
No. World War I. Might be the Battle of Jutland.
Back them, ships purposely created smokescreens so battleships couldn’t get a decent reading on them making their shells less accurate.”
Good stuff – thanks for the info! – D
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:41 am
Jimmy, you mean like Ali Marpet, Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch? They seem pretty darn good to me…
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:43 am
Joe’s stealing that line if the Bucs don’t pick him!
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:47 am
Didn’t Marpet kinda do that SB? It’s not impossible, just way unlikely. Walker has athletic gifts at his size, but he has a long road back from that ACL.
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:55 am
If the Bucs draft Mesidor
They will probably have 2 of the oldest rookies ever
Mesidor at 25 years old
David Walker at 26 years old
Jason loves these old guys
April 22nd, 2026 at 9:57 am
I guess it started last year in training camp when everyone was so excited about what they were seeing from him before his injury. Sometimes it is just genuine excited for a kid that show so much potential. Even after the disappointment of the injuries the coaches, suits and fans were saying that he and JJ would be like getting 2 extra picks in this year’s draft. I don’t really get the point anyway because it’s not like the Bucs would go into this draft without a need for edge even if they believed in Walker. You can be excited about a young prospect and still have a need he’s still a 4th round small school kid who shows potential.
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:12 am
Makes a lot more sense than drafting a TE! Just saying!
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:25 am
Ready to get this over with.
April 22nd, 2026 at 10:27 am
Walker is a later pick. He was a gamble to begin with.