David Walker could prove to be another key ingredient to a Bucs Super Bowl run and it's easy to see why
Don't get it twisted: hitting on Round 1 draft picks is crucial to not just roster-building, but sustaining success over a period of time.However, if you can nail the majority of your picks in Rounds 4-7 as well as nab a couple of solid UDFAs, you're really cooking as an NFL franchise.I'm not talking drafting […]
Don't get it twisted: hitting on Round 1 draft picks is crucial to not just roster-building, but sustaining success over a period of time.
However, if you can nail the majority of your picks in Rounds 4-7 as well as nab a couple of solid UDFAs, you're really cooking as an NFL franchise.
I'm not talking drafting future Hall of Famers, or even annual Pro Bowlers, here. No, I'm simply referring to solid starters and even high-end backup/rotational guys, at the end of the day. Sure, future gold jacket-wearers and Pro Bowlers are included in the conversation, but they aren't the focal point nor are they the ultimate goal.
Finding these kinds of players -and holding onto them- can boost an NFL roster like no other. Mainly because whatever team that fits this mold will have what every team needs to have a successful season and that's quality depth.
"I'm a little biased because I was a fourth round pick, and in my first Super Bowl in Pittsburgh, we were full of guys that were late round picks – fourth round, fifth round, sixth round, [and] even some [undrafted] free agents," Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote told reporters during OTAs.
"So I just believe, you know, [when] you do a good job [in] those rounds, you're going to set yourself up to win the Super Bowl. And I was excited when we got that caliber of player at that pick."
The player/pick Foote is talking about is rookie David Walker, whom the Bucs selected in the fourth round of the draft at pick No. 121. He's easily one of most-talked about Day 3 draft picks, both in Tampa Bay and across the country, and he has a very good chance of making a big impact in both 2025 and years to come.
"He knows how to rush the passer – he's a natural at it," said Foote. "He loves the game. He didn't really know how quick he was until rookie minicamp and you can see it. He loves ball. You can tell he's serious…
"… He was invited to the Senior Bowl, so you got to see him match up against top competition, and he did a good job. He looked like he belonged."
A good pass rush is absolutely crucial when it comes to the winning formula in the NFL and a guy like Walker can really add some juice to the Bucs' unit if he hits the ground running as a rookie.
While that's a lot tougher for a Day 3 pick as opposed to a Day 1 or even Day 2 pick, the key with Walker and the Bucs is recent history works in his favor when it comes to what kind of impact he can have as a rookie.
Jason Licht and Co. have been very successful finding impact players on Day 3 of the draft
There are a few starters on the Bucs' current roster who were Day 3 picks and many of them also had solid impacts as rookies. Cade Otton, Anthony Nelson, and then obviously Bucky Irving highlight the list of current players. Zyon McCollum has also turned into a very capable starter, but injuries limited his effectiveness in Year 1.
And while SirVocea Dennis and Payne Durham are still evolving, they've shown plenty of flashes to where they could play sizable roles in both 2025 and the future. Overall, it's clear Walker is in a good spot.
Especially when considering he'll have the opportunity to practice against arguably the league's best tackle duo in Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. That's an immediate challenge that should only help Walker in the long run and it could even advance his development.
"It's going to be a great challenge, especially [against] those two bookend tackles," said Foote. "Iron sharpens iron and if you start having success against those guys, it's going to be easy on Sunday."
Overall, it's easy to see the path for Walker. The Bucs have a pretty deep room at EDGE/OLB, but they don't have a clear-cut No. 1 option for teams to game plan against. They have guys who can be that kind of player, but they haven't yet proven themselves on a consistent basis.
Based off what Walker can do, he can certainly work his way into that spot by the time the 2025 season is all said and done. And if that happens, you better believe the Bucs will be in the conversation when it comes to teams with the best chance of hoisting the Lombardi come February.
