The 2024 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Devontez Walker 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Devontez Walker Background
Position: Wide Receiver
School: North Carolina
Size: 6-foot-2.5, 200 pounds
Class: RedshirtJunior
2023 stats: 41 receptions, 699 receiving yards, 17.0 yards per catch, 7 touchdown catches, 3 rushes, 23 rushing yards (in 8 games)
Walker went to a few different schools and had a fight with the NCAA during his college career, but was productive. Now he is in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a three-star prospect in the class of 2020, Walker originally signed with NC Central. Their 2020 season was cancelled and he transferred to Kent State for the 2021 season. He had five catches for 124 yards in his first season with the Golden Flashes. The next season, he really broke out with 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. Kent State went 5-7 despite Walker’s good play. He transferred to North Carolina for the 2023 season, but the NCAA wouldn’t clear him immediately. Walker played in eight games, registering 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns. His play aided the Tar Heels on an eight win season.
Following the tumultuous season and late productivity, Walker declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He is a projected day-two pick.
Devontez Walker Strengths
Walker has NFL-level size for the wide receiver position. He stands at 6-foot-2.5 and 200 pounds, which is solid. His size will allow him to play on the outside and gives him a chance to be successful on 50/50 balls. It looks like he can still add to his frame and make this more of a strength,
He is a good athlete in a few different ways. Walker has great acceleration, which he displays right at the snap of the ball. He has good long speed as well. To go with his quickness and speed, Walker displays good body control, moving his body to make acrobatic catches when necessary.
What Walker is best at is being a deep threat. His quickness and speed help him get downfield quickly. He can separate vertically from defenders, giving the quarterback plenty of space to make a throw. When he is downfield, he tracks the ball well and can make contested catches occasionally downfield. His ability to stretch the field can open up the offense for a team.
Devontez Walker Weaknesses
Walker runs a limited route tree and most of those are ones that can push him upfield. He needs to diversify his route tree and can also run routes in a more detailed way. Walker has the athleticism to get in and out of his breaks quicker to create separation. He can round off routes too much and can work on his releases to help free him to start a rep.
He struggles with physical press coverage. Walker can add strength to help him fight off this coverage, which would also help him downfield as he is fighting for positioning as well. More work on his releases can help free him as well, as he has the quickness to free himself.
His impact as a run blocker isn’t great. Added strength can help him sustain blocks, but he also needs to lock in with better technique. If he puts an effort into it, he can develop into a better blocker. This won’t be something that holds him back too much, but can be improved.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third Round Pick
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