Deone Walker could be unique pass-rush specialist for Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane should just rent an apartment in Lexington for his scouting staff at this point. The AFC South juggernaut and Super Bowl contender is looking to get over the hump and back to the Super Bowl.

Deone Walker was added to the Bills roster in the fourth round to help address the team’s biggest concern.

Buffalo entered this offseason with one of the best offenses in the NFL led by MVP Josh Allen. The offensive line is set, James Cook is a star tailback, and there are some young pass-catchers (Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman) that this franchise believes in. But they had to make some changes on defense.

In recent playoff losses to the Kansas City Chiefs (3x) and Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills defense has been the weakest unit on the field. Most notably, the pass coverage was carved up by star quarterbacks in the AFC. Buffalo has spent assets this offseason to fix the problem.

Joey Bosa was a big-ticket signing in free agency to provide instant help at defensive end in this 4-2-5 scheme. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was added as a defensive tackle pass-rush specialist. Ed Oliver is back for year six in Buffalo and is a reliable pass-rusher at defensive tackle. The Bills spent a first-round pick on Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston to be a plug-and-play starter for a defense that rotates heavily between Cover 3 and Cover 1. South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders and Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson were added as Day 2 picks. But Sanders is known as being a run-first defender.

Deone Walker will give head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich a unique weapon as a tall and big defensive tackle who brings value as a rusher in a multitude of alignments. Walker played through injury in 2024 but was one of the best rushers in the SEC in 2023 where defensive coordinator Brad White used him all over the defensive front. Walker recorded wins inside and on the edge against high-end competition.

The fourth round rookie likely will be battling Ogunjobi for snaps but the plan will be for the Kentucky product to help boost a pass rush for a Super Bowl contender. Deone Walker will find himself in a training camp battle for snaps but is bringing a skill set that Buffalo should value.

Scouting Report

Deone Walker (6074, 331) was a three-year starter at Kentucky who turned into one of the best pass rushing defensive tackles in college football. At 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds, Walker brings a unique skill set to the position. With skinny legs, this does not look like your prototypical nose tackle, one-tech, or three-tech defensive tackle but Walker has a dancing bear play style that can create havoc.

Kentucky used Walker in a variety of alignments across the front and his next team will likely need to be willing to do the same to maximize Walker’s value. Pad level is a concern and Walker can get pushed around in the run game. Shows good movement as a rusher and can slip off blocks. Shows real athleticism for the position despite poor testing scores.

The defensive tackle has some impressive traits as a rusher and the tape to back it up at Kentucky. The junior season may have just been a one-off due to the injury. Some coaching versatility will be needed at the next level as this is not a cookie cutter projection. Walker must go to a scheme-diverse organization willing to utilize him outside the box to maximize his potential.

A pass-rush first defensive tackle who can win one-on-one. Every defense is looking for that.