Bills 4th Round Pick : Deone Walker - DT - Kentucky

[CA OC Bills Fan]

On 5/4/2025 at 1:24 PM, Mister Defense said:

 

 

I heard Joe Marino  speak on him as well.

 

But it is interesting that Marino said this year that he has turned his attention almost exclusively to the pro game, the NFL, and so watched very little college football this year.

 

And so when he did his draft analysis shows he seemed to just be reading others' words about college players, one after another after...  Very boring, cliche stuff, repeatedly.

 

I just stopped listening, as I was doing that myself.

 

So don't take too much credence in what he says.  He is very definitive in his one man show, with no one there to push back at all on him.  And because it is every single day, I think, so much is just filler anyway.

 

 

Only part of this post is correct. He does spend all his time on Bills work now. However, that includes studying college players that the Bills bring in for 30 visits or private workouts. He also looks at several (I don't remember the number but I think closer to 100) players that he expects to be in the top rounds of the draft whereas in the past he'd study more like 250 players.

 

As such, he did study film on Walker and others prior to the draft and reported on his findings (he hated Walker as others have stated). After the draft, he studies film on those he hadn't originally studied.

 

Agree or disagree with Marino, he does study the players and his opinions are based on work he's put in, not just regurgitating other's analysis.

[Chandler#81]

I think he makes the roster, becomes a rotational starting DL and -back notwithstanding, has a good career.

[njbuff]

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

I think he makes the roster, becomes a rotational starting DL and -back notwithstanding, has a good career.

Unless he’s a total flop in the preseason…..

 

Of course he’s making the roster.

[L Ron Burgundy]

I dont know why but I want Deone to make it more than anyone else.  Always loved giant, game-wrecking DTs like Wilfork and Washington.   I know his chances aren't great, his build isn't ideal, back problems for a big guy are a bad sign.  But this monster becoming a force could change our defensive identity.   

[BillsFanForever19]

On 5/2/2025 at 3:53 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

Interesting.  Jones could be cut this summer IMO.   Compromise.  22 snaps per game lol 

ideally DaQuan is replaced by a larger veteran who is more true 1T

 

that would really complete a nice overhaul of the DT room 

 

There is no larger veteran that is an upgrade from Daquan Jones available. Cut him and we're rolling with just Walker at 1T (with the occasional pass rush package of Sanders next to Oliver) and Carter.

 

If they were going to move on from Jones this offseason, they'd have either a.) been more proactive in signing a veteran 1T to replace him early in FA and/or b.) Would have Drafted someone in the first couple Rounds.

 

If he were to be cut before the season started, it's pretty likely he would represent the top 1T on the market. Teams don't cut starting quality 1T's coming out of camp very often. 

[GunnerBill]

12 hours ago, CA OC Bills Fan said:

Only part of this post is correct. He does spend all his time on Bills work now. However, that includes studying college players that the Bills bring in for 30 visits or private workouts. He also looks at several (I don't remember the number but I think closer to 100) players that he expects to be in the top rounds of the draft whereas in the past he'd study more like 250 players.

 

As such, he did study film on Walker and others prior to the draft and reported on his findings (he hated Walker as others have stated). After the draft, he studies film on those he hadn't originally studied.

 

Agree or disagree with Marino, he does study the players and his opinions are based on work he's put in, not just regurgitating other's analysis.

 

He still does NFL Locked On Scouting with Kyle Crabbs. But I listened to a couple of episodes this year and they are definitely doing fewer really detailed breakdowns on prospects than the used to. To be honest it feels a it like they have mailed it in and are keeping going for the sake of keeping going because the Locked On network wants them to. It's a shame because when they were part of The Draft Network they did some really good stuff. I mean that place's demise was pretty predictable - running an expensive draft website with full time employees when you are really only driving serious levels of engagement 3 to 4 months of the year - which affects your advertising revenues etc - was never going to be straightforward. Even before you get into some of the personalities tied in with it.

 

But it definitely feels like post the collapse there Joe has turned his attention away from the draft stuff and on to Locked On Bills. 

[DJB]

Walker has a bad habit of being really slow to set himself up at the line. Often he’s just lowering himself down to his stance and by then the ball is snapped causing him to not be in position to attack. 
 

He already shoots out of his stance high and now he’s already half way up when the ball is snapped 

 

Hopefully the Bills can coach him to get down and ready earlier . 

Edited Wednesday at 08:47 AM by DJB

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, DJB said:

Walker has a bad habit of being really slow to set himself up at the line. Often he’s just lowering himself down to his stance and by then the ball is snapped causing him to not be in position to attack. 
 

He already shoots out of his stance high and now he’s already half way up when the ball is snapped 

 

Hopefully the Bills can coach him to get down and ready earlier . 

 

I think the back probably plays a part in that (although his pad level was concerning even in 2023). 

[Chandler#81]

10 hours ago, njbuff said:

Unless he’s a total flop in the preseason…..

 

Of course he’s making the roster.

You did notice the comma, right? - i.e. continuing the statement and adding additional corresponding information? When I walked 2 miles uphill  both ways to school, that was 9th grade English. Didjja git that far?

[BearNorth]

4 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

If he were to be cut before the season started, it's pretty likely he would represent the top 1T on the market. Teams don't cut starting quality 1T's coming out of camp very often. 

Just witness the 1T late season signings Bills have done the past two seasons [Linval Joseph/Jordan Phillips] because the middle of their defense was getting shredded.

[DJB]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think the back probably plays a part in that (although his pad level was concerning even in 2023). 

Yes agree he showed similar in 2023.

 

Again he has some physical gifts with his size. Hes not exactly proportional being top heavy but hopefully some time in the gym to thicken up his lower body . 
 

But his issues are obviously injuries and technique. Hopefully Bills staff can help with both . 
 

Edited Wednesday at 01:37 PM by DJB

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, BearNorth said:

Just witness the 1T late season signings Bills have done the past two seasons [Linval Joseph/Jordan Phillips] because the middle of their defense was getting shredded.

 

You are correct on the Linval Joseph signing in 2023 as Joseph is a big run stuffer. But Jordan Phillips while he's an above average sized DT was not and never has been a run stuffer. They brought back Jordan Phillips because they had some injuries at DT from what I remember. 

[starrymessenger]

On 5/7/2025 at 4:46 AM, DJB said:

Walker has a bad habit of being really slow to set himself up at the line. Often he’s just lowering himself down to his stance and by then the ball is snapped causing him to not be in position to attack. 
 

He already shoots out of his stance high and now he’s already half way up when the ball is snapped 

 

Hopefully the Bills can coach him to get down and ready earlier . 

Just watching his highlights and senior bowl tape. What encourages me is that he does not always play with a high pad level, not at all.  even if it might seem that way because he is so tall. To me that may mean that his standing up is a just a natural tendency that can be managed with coaching. Apart from his height, the fact that his power is more above the waist rather than below would contribute to this tendency. He needs to strengthen his lower body. To me the thing that may hamper his development is his back. I assume that the Bills have done their medical due diligence on him and were comfortable enuf to move up to draft him. 
He has traits that simply cannot be taught. As far as I'm concerned if the back issue is resolved or resolvable he stands an excellent chance of being a very good player with positional versatility along the D line. 

[Rigotz]

On 5/7/2025 at 3:52 AM, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

There is no larger veteran that is an upgrade from Daquan Jones available. Cut him and we're rolling with just Walker at 1T (with the occasional pass rush package of Sanders next to Oliver) and Carter.

 

If they were going to move on from Jones this offseason, they'd have either a.) been more proactive in signing a veteran 1T to replace him early in FA and/or b.) Would have Drafted someone in the first couple Rounds.

 

If he were to be cut before the season started, it's pretty likely he would represent the top 1T on the market. Teams don't cut starting quality 1T's coming out of camp very often. 

 

The sooner everyone understands that Walker isn't a 1-tech, the better.

 

He's not good against the run and doesn't take on 2 blockers very often. He doesn't even play over the center all the time. He's essentially a big 3-Tech.

 

With this in mind, any talk of him "replacing" Daquan doesn't make any sense.

[starrymessenger]

On 5/7/2025 at 9:47 AM, billsfan89 said:

 

You are correct on the Linval Joseph signing in 2023 as Joseph is a big run stuffer. But Jordan Phillips while he's an above average sized DT was not and never has been a run stuffer. They brought back Jordan Phillips because they had some injuries at DT from what I remember. 

I'm pretty sure that Walker can occupy two blockers and has good lateral mobility. So I think he can defend the run. In time he may well also bring pressure inside to at least disrupt the pocket.

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

3 minutes ago, starrymessenger said:

Just watching his highlights and senior bowl tape. What encourages me is that he does not always play with a high pad level, not at all.  even if it might seem that way because he is so tall. To me that may mean that his standing up is a just a natural tendency that can be managed with coaching. Apart from his height, the fact that his power is more above the waist rather than below would contribute to this tendency. He needs to strengthen his lower body. To me the thing that may hamper his development is his back. I assume that the Bills have done their medical due diligence on him and were comfortable enuf to move up to draft him. 
He has traits that simply cannot be taught. As far as I'm concerned if the back issue is resolved or resolvable he stands an excellent chance of being a very good player with positional versatility along the D line. 

 

He's in a place where I think ideally the guy would just pull up to Orchard Park today and stay there util the season starts. Work with the training staff all summer.

[starrymessenger]

Just now, Slippery Rubber Mats said:

 

He's in a place where I think ideally the guy would just pull up to Orchard Park today and stay there util the season starts. Work with the training staff all summer.

Absolutely. He's a project.

2 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

 

The sooner everyone understands that Walker isn't a 1-tech, the better.

 

He's not good against the run and doesn't take on 2 blockers very often. He doesn't even play over the center all the time. He's essentially a big 3-Tech.

 

With this in mind, any talk of him "replacing" Daquan doesn't make any sense.

Disagree. In run defence drills at the senior bowl against guys who are going to be drafted or priority free agents he was very effective. 

[billsfan89]

2 minutes ago, starrymessenger said:

I'm pretty sure that Walker can occupy two blockers and has good lateral mobility. So I think he can defend the run. In time he may well also bring pressure inside to at least disrupt the pocket.

 

Honestly if he can just be a capable run stuffer it would be a big positive for a defense that has struggled to consistently have that type of player. D.Jones was that at times (with pocket pressure upside) but after his 2023 injury he's just not that guy he's at best a solid rotational player. Hoping the Bills can really hit on at least one of the two DT's they drafted this year. 

[starrymessenger]

1 minute ago, billsfan89 said:

 

Honestly if he can just be a capable run stuffer it would be a big positive for a defense that has struggled to consistently have that type of player. D.Jones was that at times (with pocket pressure upside) but after his 2023 injury he's just not that guy he's at best a solid rotational player. Hoping the Bills can really hit on at least one of the two DT's they drafted this year. 

I think they will groom him as a run defender, but because of his athleticism and agility for a big man he will eventually be able to play 3 tech. Has a chance to become the kind of DT you can line up anywhere - maybe like Chris Jones (I wish).

[thenorthremembers]

My biggest hope for Deone is that our strength and conditioning program can reduce some of the weight he carries in his midsection.      He is a very big guy but for his size he doesnt look that stout in his lower body.   Carrying that much weight in his stomach will not help the back injury.    He doesnt look like a 1 tech to me.   He looks like 3 tech who should be playing closer to 310-315.