David Walker LB/EDGE Central Arkansas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
David Walker LB/EDGE Central Arkansas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (67%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (67%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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54% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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77% |
| Pass Rush: |
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100% |
| Run Defense: |
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100% |
| Coverage: |
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85% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#163
Position rank:
#15
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| College Games: 23 College Snaps: 1303 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 83/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.3 (87%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Derick Hall - Auburn |
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64% |
| Chris Braswell - Alabama |
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63% |
| Marte Mapu - Sacramento State |
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55% |
Draft Profile: Bio
David Walker emerged from Stuttgart, Arkansas as a multi-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and soccer. After a productive stint at Division II Southern Arkansas University, Walker transferred to Central Arkansas where he transformed into one of the most dominant defensive players in FCS football. The former high school wide receiver turned edge rusher accumulated impressive statistics over two seasons at Central Arkansas, including 123 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks while earning multiple All-American honors and conference defensive player of the year awards.Walker's journey from an unheralded two-star recruit to becoming a Buck Buchanan Award finalist showcases his developmental trajectory. His 2023 campaign proved particularly impressive, as he recorded 57 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in just 11 games. The defensive standout set a school record with 6.5 tackles for loss in a single game against Tarleton State, where he also posted a season-high 13 tackles.
His rise began at Southern Arkansas, where he started 19 games and earned first-team All-Great American Conference honors in 2021. After transferring to Central Arkansas, Walker immediately established himself as an elite defender, recording 66 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks in his first season while earning ASUN Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List at #76. He Wrote: "Walker had 66 tackles, 21 TFLs, and 12 sacks in 2022. The 6-2, 260-pound Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Year runs the 40 in 4.65, vertical-jumped 36 inches and power-cleaned 374. He’s also squatted 615 pounds this offseason and benched 225 pounds for 24 reps. "
- Advanced pass rush toolbox featuring two-hand swipes, rips, ghost moves, and speed-to-power conversions
- Stacks and sheds with violent hand usage, consistently defeating reach blocks and maintaining gap control
- Compact frame creates natural leverage points, allowing for consistent wins in the power game against longer tackles
- Hot motor to the football with sideline-to-sideline range and relentless backside pursuit mentality
- Position flexibility to play as stand-up rusher or hand-in-dirt defender in multiple fronts
- Snap anticipation and first-step quickness creates immediate vertical push against offensive tackles
- Contact balance through traffic enables consistent finishing ability in congested areas
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Sub-32 inch arm length creates challenges when attempting to cross-face longer offensive tackles
- Over-aggressive pursuit angles can compromise edge containment responsibilities
- Limited counter-rush development when initial move is stalled at point of attack
- Small-school background raises questions about adjustment to NFL-caliber offensive linemen
- Developmental curve may be steeper due to late transition to edge position
Scouting Report: Summary
A compact, explosive edge defender who wins with natural leverage and violent hands at the point of attack. Brings scheme versatility with ability to play as stand-up rusher or defensive end in multiple fronts. Shows consistent ability to generate pressure through explosive first step and refined pass rush sequence.Demonstrates plus ability to convert speed to power, with technical refinement in hand usage and block destruction. Shows snap anticipation and closing burst to consistently affect the quarterback. Primary concerns center around length limitations and competition level adjustment.
Best suited for an aggressive, one-gap scheme that maximizes his first-step explosiveness and natural leverage advantages. Can contribute immediately as a rotational pass rusher while developing into a more complete edge defender. Scheme versatility and refined technical approach will appeal to multiple defensive systems.
Written By:
J.T. Smith
How other scouting services rate David Walker (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
133.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.