David Walker NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Central Arkansas EDGE | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

— Sets up his pass-rush moves well during the stem phase of the rush and has impressive quickness to go from the inside to the outside or vice versa and throw off offensive tackle’s angles.

— Solid rip move that he can win around the edge with and is decent at working the offensive lineman’s hands as a pass-rusher.

— Has good change of direction to turn speed to power.

— Natural leverage and physical at the point of attack when taking on blocks against the run, making him hard to block for tight ends and allowing him to set the edge against pullers.

— Keeps his hands tight when taking on blocks.

— Sawed-off frame, lacks NFL height and length for an edge defender.

— Not explosive off the line of scrimmage to win with speed around the edge.

— Has a habit of rushing through the middle of offensive tackles’ chest instead of getting on an edge, causing him to lose contain on the quarterback.

— Has some ankle tightness that limits his ability to turn tight corners.

— Reliant on natural leverage and doesn’t play with much knee bend against the run.

— Short arms limit his extension and make it hard for him to get off blocks.

— Not ranked in the 2019 class, originally a DII player

— Played two seasons with one redshirt year at Southern Arkansas before transferring to Central Arkansas ahead of the 2022 season

— 2024 United Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-UAC, FCS All-American, FCS Defensive Player of the Year

— 2023 United Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-UAC, FCS All-American

— 2022 Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-ASUN, FCS All-American

— 2021 First-Team All-Great American Conference, led the conference in sacks and TFL

David Walker is a highly productive and well-decorated FCS prospect, logging 31 sacks and 63 TFL in three years while making numerous All-American teams and winning the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS DPOY) this past season.

As the numbers suggest, Walker is a disruptive player. He stands out most as a pass rusher, where he can win around the edge, with inside moves and by turning speed to power. Against the run, he’s a physical player who will take the fight to blockers and is difficult for tight ends to handle.

However, given the jump from FCS, it’s a big question how much Walker’s production will transfer to the next level. He doesn’t have the physical profile of a typical NFL edge defender and is a good but not great athlete, making the former more difficult to overcome. So, it will be important for him to post good numbers at the combine and his pro day.

Overall, Walker is worth taking a flier on during Day 3 of the draft. But some time may take him off their boards, given his physical profile and age, as he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie.

GRADE: 6.0 (Developmental Prospect — 5th)

PRO COMPARISON: Joe Schobert

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.