The Minnesota Vikings made impressive strides in revamping their defense last offseason. Nearly every addition, big or small, helped transform their defense into a feared unit—something not seen since the peak of Mike Zimmer’s tenure.
While they bolstered nearly every position, from edge rusher to linebacker to cornerback, they still lack a long-term solution at defensive tackle. The Vikings did make an attempt to bring in Christian Wilkins and still need to find a young defensive tackle for the future.
In recent years, teams have started to place more value on interior pressure, and after extending Harrison Phillips mid-season, the Vikings addressed one part of the problem. However, despite strong performances from players like Jerry Tillery, Jihad Ward, and Jalen Redmond, they may still look to add a solid starter at defensive tackle, with some rotational pieces around them.
The Vikings have been active in the defensive tackle market, pursuing players like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. While these experienced veterans are great short-term solutions, Minnesota could still benefit from bringing in a young defensive tackle who can learn from them.
Fortunately for the Vikings, this year’s draft offers one of the deepest defensive tackle classes in recent memory. While landing a player like Mason Graham may be out of reach, there are still several high-impact interior players within their range.
One such player is Kentucky’s Deone Walker, who could be a target for the Vikings in the third round. Standing at 6’6” and just under 350 pounds, Walker has the ideal size for an NFL defensive tackle, but it’s his athleticism that makes him stand out. Unlike many defensive tackle prospects who either have the size or the athleticism, Walker seems to have both.
Deone Walker
Minnesota’s defense, under Brian Flores, thrives on creating unique looks for opposing quarterbacks. They use their athletic front seven to play positionless football and line up in different spots. Walker, despite his imposing size, has shown versatility, lining up as a stand-up edge rusher on multiple occasions during his time at Kentucky.
His size alone would provide an immediate boost to a defensive line in need of help, but it’s his ability to combine his physicality with athleticism that makes him such an intriguing prospect. Walker’s presence would likely draw double-teams on both passing and running plays, opening up opportunities for edge rushers to create one-on-one matchups. His size would also make it harder for guards and centers to get to the second level, allowing linebackers to play free and make impactful tackles.
While Walker isn’t someone who will necessarily rack up huge stats, his influence on the game is undeniable. In 2023, he recorded 51 pressures with a 12% win rate and 7.5 sacks. Though his production dipped last year with just 1.5 sacks and a 9% win rate, it was due to teams specifically game-planning against him.
Despite his massive frame, Walker is quick and nimble for his size. His agility allows him to excel against the run, as he can clog up lanes, absorb double teams, and even move laterally to disrupt running back paths. When he makes contact with a ball carrier, it’s often a quick and overpowering tackle, showcasing his strength and power.
Walker’s impact might not always show up on the stat sheet, but his ability to control the line of scrimmage and force offenses to account for him would make him a valuable addition to the Vikings’ defense.
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