DeMarcus

Walker

Walker broke out for seven sacks in 2022 and will now earn a starting role with the Bears. General Manager Ryan Poles has not been shy with splashy offseason moves, tackling the skill positions through trade and the trenches through free agency. It is likely Walker slots in along the right interior of the defensive line in a 4-3 scheme.

Walker joined the Texans in 2021 and earned a career-high in snaps, taking the field for more than half of his team’s defensive plays. He tallied two sacks, four TFLs, and seven QB hits. With Tennessee having a deeper defensive line than the Texans, Walker’s role could take a slight downturn in 2022. Still, the 27-year-old lineman gives the Titans a solid rotational option.

Aaron Wilson reports that Walker will visit the Titans on Wednesday. The veteran defensive tackle showed some decent pass rush in the biggest role of his career to date with the Texans in 2020. He finished with 21 quarterback pressures in 440 defensive snaps per Sports Info Solutions. He’d likely be a rotational fit with either club.

Houston also placed S A.J. Moore and DL DeMarcus Walker on the list after adding LB Kamu Grugier-Hill to the COVID list earlier in the week. Like many teams in the NFL, the Texans are going to have to turn to their depth this week.

Walker was the 51st overall pick in the 2017 draft and has 8.5 sacks over the last two seasons on very limited snaps. It’s a nice signing at this stage of the offseason, as Walker (6'4/280) should compete with newcomers Shaq Lawson, Derek Rivers, and Jordan Jenkins for playing time off the edge where Houston is looking to replace J.J. Watt.

The Broncos signed Shamar Stephen this week, likely closing the door on a Denver return for Walker. The 2017 second-rounder has made an impact as a sub-package lineman the last two years, posting 8.5 sacks and seven TFLs. He’s coming off a career-high 35% snap rate in 2020 despite missing three games to a calf injury. The Texans have already signed Maliek Collins and Derek Rivers. Walker would give them another low cost veteran to help replace J.J. Watt.

Walker avoided IR and will remain on the roster for now. That means the Broncos expect him back in the next three games. Denver’s front-seven is reeling with injuries, with Walker, Von Miller (ankle), Dre’Mont Jones (knee), and Jonathan Harris (reserve/NFI) all sidelined.

Walker (6’4/280) shared 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year with Clemson LB Ben Boulware, finishing his career third in FSU history in sacks (28.5) and tackles for loss (45). Still a whipping boy in the draftnik community, Walker has been knocked as a “snap jumper” lacking pass-rush variety with significant run-defense limitations. Walker did show plus athleticism at the Seminoles’ Pro Day, running 4.88 with solid vertical (31 ½") and broad (9’7") jumps. Walker’s NFL fit is fair to question as neither a natural edge player nor an interior presence. PFF College has compared him to rotational Vikings DT Tom Johnson.

The deal includes a $1.8 million signing bonus. A co-ACC Defensive Player of the Year recipient at Florida State, Walker will try to carve out a role as a rotational edge rusher in year one.

Walker went for an MRI on his hip last week but obviously it was nothing serious. This puts him on track for Week 1 against the Chargers.