2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deone Walker (DL – Kentucky)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deone Walker

Deone Walker (DL – Kentucky)

6-foot-6 | 345 pounds

Background

Deone Walker is a Detroit native and four-star recruit who stepped into a starting role a few games into his freshman season, posting 40-5.0-1.0 over 535 snaps. He had a monster sophomore year line of 55-13.0-7.5 (728 snaps) and has been playing well this year, albeit with a significantly lower statistical output thus far.

Positives

A three-year SEC starter who’s as big as they come and who carries his weight well. Not strictly a pure nose tackle despite his massive frame. Lines up at different techniques, including on the end of three-man lines, although Kentucky often shifts their line so much to one side he’s effectively a zero- or one-technique. The team even stands him up at times. Has some suddenness out of his stance, and although he’s not particularly explosive in absolute terms, has a good get-off for someone as big as he is.

Motor and level of activity are high for someone with his frame. Length allows him to lock defenders out of his frame when reading and reacting in the run game. Has heavy, active hands. At his best, Walker can control and discard blocks to make stops between the tackles in the run game. Managed over seven sacks as a sophomore. Brings some intensity as a rusher, working hard through the snap. Primarily works the bull-rush and swim moves — both look viable at the next level. Also draws some additional attention from blockers, freeing up opportunities for teammates. Can impact throwing lanes with his size and length.

Negatives

Playing strength isn’t quite as good as anticipated, in part because of his height; taller than your typical nose tackle and can sometimes struggle to win the leverage battle, negating his size advantage. Walker his shoulders in pursuit on some lateral rushing attempts, causing him to get driven off the line of scrimmage.

Intensity sometimes crosses over into a lack of discipline, leading to balance issues. His level of activity is higher than his level of refinement with his hands, especially when his initial move is unsuccessful. Would like to see him develop a wider array of counters and better plan for contingencies as a rusher.

Summary

One of the freakiest talents in this year’s class from a physical and athletic standpoint, Walker has unparalleled size on the defensive line and is more than just a space-eater up front. Rather, he has impressive schematic versatility, has more suddenness out of his stance than anticipated and plays with much better stamina than is usual for such a big man.

Cleaning up some aspects of his technique could make him a very disruptive pro defensive lineman. It’s hard to imagine such a talent like this lasting beyond the second round or so.

Projection: Round 2

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