David Walker’s debut has been a year in the making. And in his first NFL preseason action he did not disappoint. Walker logged 19 snaps, including 11 pass rushes. Pro Football Focus credited him with three “wins” and one pressure. He got all of that production in his seven true pass rush situations. PFF defines true pass rush situations as those where the defense rushes four or fewer players, the offense does not run a screen, and there is no play-action.

A 42.9%-win rate in true pass rush situations is fantastic. Last year the best edge rushers in the NFL barely popped above 30%. And Walker went up against the Jets’ starters for most of the night. This is promising. But let’s go beyond the numbers and look at the actual reps.

David Walker’s Pass Rush Reps In Bucs’ Win vs. Jets

Against play-action David Walker showed a heady demeanor, reading his run keys out, but quick to recognize the fake and get after the bootleg. His motor ran hot all night. You could tell he’s been waiting for this action for way too many sleeps.

Walker’s first opportunity to pin his ears back was on a third-and-8 at the Jets’ 40-yard line. If you watched the game, you will remember this as “the big Garrett Wilson catch.” Walker didn’t beat Jets left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu off the line and the long offensive lineman was able to get into his pass set early. Walker adjusted by attacking with a stutter step, faking an inside path before throwing a double-hand swipe to try and find room high-side. The swipe missed and he ended up in Fashanu’s chest for a stalemate.

Bucs OLB David Walker – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Over the course of his next several attacks he would continue to threaten up the arc forcing Fashanu to get deep into his pass set over and over. His movements were smooth and he consistently flashed a shoulder dip and bend that made his threats real. He flashed a speed-to-power attempt through Fashanu’s chest on his fifth try (Q1 7:55).

Walker’s first plus rep came in a big situation. With the Jets threatening inside the Bucs’ low red zone on third-and-9 at Tampa Bay’s 9-yard line he broke his previous tendencies and showed the first glimpse of a pass rush plan. The rep started with another high-side attack, but as Fashanu extended his hands to make contact, Walker crossed his face with a hop inside and arm-over.

The play would have worked with him clearing the Jets starting left tackle, had he not received late help from left guard Dylan Parham. But that didn’t force Walker to quit. He continued working to split the now double team and succeeded just as quarterback Kade Klubnik released the ball. That’s a pass rush win, a real tool to utilize in regular season games, and a smart plan of attack.

The most prominent tool Walker pulled out in this game was his spin move. It first appeared in the first quarter. He used it to try and release himself when he ended up too far into Fashanu’s frame. But it would come back in a big way in the second quarter.

Walker threw the spin again. Twice. In the same play.

This time Walker was facing backups. But no matter. He showed it was there. An inside spin to find the quickest path to the quarterback, and as he induced Max Mitchell to chase him and drew Marquis Hayes to help, Walker threw it again to the outside. Walker avoided a lineman pancake, kept his balance and created chaos.

Walker flashed more than just a spin move and an inside counter. There were hallmarks of enough tricks to keep opponents guessing throughout the game, including the high-side speed/bend/rip rep that helped pressure Klubnik to throw the Ayden Garnes pick-six earlier in the quarter.

To recap:

• High-side attack with real bend
• Speed-to-power
• Inside spin
• Bend/rip
• Inside spin-to-outside spin

That’s an arsenal. That’s a repertoire. And it’s exciting.

David Walker Fitting The Run

David Walker’s limited snaps in run defense didn’t glean much. But one rep stood out. Playing edge means setting one. And Walker did just that, helping the Bucs defense get a tackle for loss and turning 2nd and on schedule into third-and-long.

Shoulder down and win the leverage game. Jets running back Kene Nwangwu had nowhere to escape.

One preseason game does not a star make. And it shouldn’t be about gaudy stat lines or highlight reel plays. It’s about looking like you belong on the field.

The Jets did the Bucs and David Walker a solid. They put their starters on the field with him. He responded by showing he belonged. The highlights came mostly against backup-level competition in the second quarter. But Walker didn’t let Fashanu get through the night easily or unscathed.

Walker showed real traits of a three-down edge. That’s encouraging.