Devontez Walker 2024 NFL Draft Profile
The 2024 NFL Draft profiles are coming in hot off the presses, and we have one of the more puzzling profiles to write up. UNC’s Devontez Walker has all the traits to be a legit guy in the NFL, but there is one MAJOR concern that has to be addressed, and we will get to it later. What does his draft profile look like? Let’s talk about it.
The big story coming going into 2023 for Walker was that the NCAA was dumb like they always are and denied his instant eligibility from a transfer, making him sit the first four weeks. But boy, did he make an immediate impact once he got onto the field. In his first three games back from sitting, he had 23 catches for 321 yards and four touchdowns, three of which came against Miami. He ended the year with 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.
On tape, he can give you everything that you want. He has a good frame (6’2, 195 lbs) and uses it to his advantage. He does a good job elevating to highpoint jump balls, but can also kill you in the open field. Devontez Walker excels in run after the catch, using his blazing speed to burn by you. The short area quickness is huge for him, as he always has his man thinking if he is going deep or working over the middle. Back shoulder throws were all over his tape, and for good reason, he crushes.
Remember that major thing I mentioned before? His favorite candy must be Butterfingers because good lord does he constantly drop passes. He was crushed on the second and third day of the Senior Bowl because it seemed like every other rep was a drop, even had a huge one on the opening play of the game itself. To his credit, I watched him like a hawk at the combine, I believe I only saw one drop at most. Other than drops, he could work on developing a more nuanced route tree.
I would still pick him up without a doubt. The speed is the premium, and as soon as he signs the contract I am sending him a jugs machine and asking him to catch an insane amount of balls before rookie camp. Even with the up-and-down pre-draft process, Devontez Walker gets a third-round grade for me because I believe the drops can be corrected. I am still in, just a little less than I was before Mobile.
