NFL Draft 2019: 5 late-round picks who’ll have immediate impacts
OLB. Georgia. player. 4. 35. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. D'Andre Walker
Outside linebacker D’Andre Walker swallowed up offenses during his four-year stay at Georgia. As a big-bodied defender at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Walker tallied team highs in tackles for loss (11) and quarterback sacks (7.5).
The four years he spent in college — which in this day-and-age are anomalies with many players opting to leave college early — should have given him ample time to refine his skills.
Perhaps the underlying reason why he decided to remain in school for four years was that he never got the chance to start until last year (his senior season).
Despite his shortcomings in playing as a defensive starter, ESPN still had him ranked as the No. 4 outside linebacker in this year’s draft class.
Although he didn’t pick up many tackles compared to his Georgia teammates, Walker appears to have the innate ability to read the play and anticipate the action before it happens.
He has a fast motor off the snap and is disruptive when he reaches the offensive backfield.
The instinctive tools that Walker owns plus his size make him a quality pick for being drafted in the fifth round.
Hailing from an SEC program like Georgia, Walker played against tough competition — which should translate to his benefit at the pro level.
Walker has the opportunity to factor in the Titans defense immediately. The Titans are an up-and-coming team after assembling a much better roster throughout the past few seasons.
Tennessee ranked in the middle of the pack in total team defense last year, so Walker, should he be permitted to see the field fairly often, could give the Titans the added boost to be a top-10 defense in the league.