After missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, Walker has returned to the practice field looking like a player determined to make up for lost time. Through the first four days of Buccaneers training camp, the young edge rusher has been one of the defense’s most disruptive players, recording four “would-be” sacks while consistently finding his way into the backfield.
Although quarterbacks can’t be hit during practice, Walker’s production has been impossible to ignore. Reaching the quarterback once in four practices would be encouraging. Doing it in all four has been a statement. His explosiveness off the snap has stood out from the opening whistle. Walker has consistently beaten offensive tackles with a quick first step, while also flashing the bend and closing speed that made him an intriguing prospect before his knee injury. More importantly, he has shown no signs of hesitation after such a significant setback, playing with the same relentless motor that defined his collegiate career at Central Arkansas.
The Buccaneers entered the offseason looking to improve a pass rush that lacked consistency outside of Yaya Diaby.
The additions of first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. and veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad brought more competition to the outside linebacker room, but Walker is proving he belongs in that conversation as well. Rather than easing his way back into football, Walker has attacked training camp with confidence. Every practice seems to include another pressure or another would-be sack, and those splash plays are beginning to pile up.
While it’s important to remember these are still training camp practices, consistently winning one-on-one matchups is exactly what coaches want to see from young pass rushers.
After spending his entire rookie season watching from the sidelines, Walker finally has the chance to show why the Buccaneers believed in him. Through four days of camp, he’s making the most of every rep, and if this level of play continues into the preseason, Tampa Bay may have uncovered another legitimate weapon in Todd Bowles’ pass rush rotation.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs’ David Walker making up for lost time in dominant start to camp
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
