The New York Giants’ defensive front is trending in the right direction. With Dexter Lawrence locked in as one of the best interior defenders in the NFL and Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux patrolling the edges, the front four has some teeth.
But the Giants still need a tone-setter next to Lawrence—someone who can eat space, generate pressure, and demand attention inside. A player who can take advantage of one-on-one matchups created by the other talent around him.
Enter Kentucky’s Deone Walker. A massive, explosive lineman with rare movement skills for his size, Walker brings the kind of presence that could make this defensive front borderline unblockable. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at what Walker offers.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-foot-7
- Weight: 331 pounds
- Recruiting: 2022 4-star, No. 290 national, No. 36 DL
- Second Team All-SEC (AP)
- Two-time team captain (2023 and 2024)
Positives
- Rare size-athleticism combo with legitimate lateral quickness and short-area burst at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds
- Can collapse the pocket with power or shoot gaps to disrupt plays before they start
- Versatile alignment—played nose, 3-tech, and even stand-up edge at Kentucky
- Natural upper-body strength and active hands allow him to shed blocks and eat up space inside
Walker is built like a nose tackle but moves like a 3-tech, and that’s what makes him so dangerous. He has real power when he anchors down but can also beat interior linemen with quickness and hand usage. Kentucky lined him up all over the front, from nose to edge, and he flashed disruptive traits from every spot. For someone his size, the lateral agility and burst are almost shocking.
In New York, he’d slot next to Dexter Lawrence and immediately form one of the most physically dominant interior duos in the league. That kind of interior pressure would free up the pass rushers and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks trying to step up in the pocket.
Negatives
- Plays too upright and loses leverage, especially against double teams
- Conditioning is a real concern and tends to fade late in games or on extended drives
- Pass-rush consistency depends on effort and technique—can be a non-factor when fatigued
For all the flashes, Walker still has some frustrating habits. He plays tall and often pops up out of his stance too quickly, which neutralizes his natural power. That’s especially problematic against double teams or combo blocks, where he can get washed out. He also isn’t in great shape right now. His motor tends to wear down quickly. His effort wanes as the game goes on.
That makes him more of a rotational player early on unless his conditioning and pad level improve. But the upside is easy to see. If the Giants can keep him fresh and unlock that consistency, Walker could be the missing piece in turning this front into one of the best in football.
Deone Walker NFL Player Comparison:
Primary Comp: Michael Pierce
Alternative: Jordan Phillips
Floor Comp: Raekwon Davis
A strong NFL comparison for Walker is Michael Pierce. Both are massive interior defenders who can push the pocket and control gaps when playing with leverage. Like Pierce, Walker has enough agility to be disruptive when fresh and enough strength to hold up inside, even if he’s not a full-time player just yet. Pierce retired earlier this offseason.
Deone Walker 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Day 2 selection (2nd/3rd round)
Walker’s size, power, and movement skills are simply rare. While his conditioning and pad level still need work, the potential to be a disruptive force inside is too high to ignore. On a defensive front like New York’s, where he wouldn’t have to carry the load, Walker could thrive early and develop into a long-term difference-maker eventually. Ultimately, his draft projection falls under whether you believe his effort level will match his potential.