David Walker has turned enough heads in Buccaneers training camp to get Jason Licht talking in a big way.
The Tampa Bay general manager said on WDAE that his excitement for the 2025 fourth-round pick is "on an even plane" with rookie Rueben Bain Jr. That’s no small comparison, especially with Bain going 15th overall in the most recent NFL Draft and Walker arriving as a Day 3 pick last year.
Walker, who missed last season, has been stacking up impressive moments in camp. He’s been around the ball constantly, generating plenty of would-be sacks against both backups and starters. For a player trying to carve out a bigger role, that kind of week-to-week noise matters.
The praise inside the building hasn’t stopped with Licht. After practice on August sixth, head coach Todd Bowles pointed to Walker’s burst and versatility.
"Just his energy and his athleticism [have] showed up," Bowles said. "We didn't get to see him in pads last year, but to see him out there and the way he moves.
He moves like an inside [linebacker], but he plays outside [linebacker] and he [has] great power. To see him out there playing fast and not worried about his knee is great."
Veteran edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad has seen the same thing.
"He has a motor. The good ones, as far as [defensive] linemen and pass rushers, and all that good stuff, they play with a motor, and he plays with a motor.
For his size, he knows who he is and the things that he [does], he [does] well. He's been having a [great] camp, so it's impressive."
There’s still plenty of competition ahead for Walker. He’s fighting for snaps with Muhammad, Bain Jr., Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson and even Chris Braswell if he makes the final roster. But for now, the Buccaneers clearly like what they’re seeing from the second-year player, and they’re not hiding it.
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