Vance Walker
DT Georgia Tech
Grade
?
5.44 SEC
Top Performer
29 REPS
Top Performer
33.0 INCH
Top Performer
- 6'2" Height
- 304LBS. Weight
Overview
Walker earned 2007 third-team All-American honors with 45 tackles and 14 tackles for loss, including a team-high 8.5 sacks. His numbers dropped a bit (33 tackles, 8.5 TFL, three sacks) his senior year, but he was named first-team All-ACC for the second straight season. Walker will fit well in a one-gap system where he can use his leverage and relentlessness to his advantage.
Analysis
Strengths
Positives: Flashes initial quickness off the snap. ... Locates the football quickly and has the short-area burst to close. ... Has the upper-body strength and is effective enough with his hands to rip off his man and pressure the quarterback or corral backs in the hole. ... Short, squatty build with long arms that helps him hold up against double-team blocks and in short-yardage situations due to his natural leverage advantage. ... Good lower-body strength to push the pocket. ... Uses his hands to get off blocks up front to get to the ball. ... Hustles downfield and chases down the line to help his teammates.
Negatives: Too short and lacks the girth to fit some defensive systems. ... Must prove himself quick enough to beat NFL interior linemen one-on-one. ... Impressive statistics inflated by the aggressive blitzing and stunting Georgia Tech defensive philosophy. ... Seems to guess at the snap count often, leading to instances when he's the first lineman off the ball, and others where he's the last. ... Lacks a variety of moves as a pass rusher.
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| Grade |
Title |
Draft (Round) |
Description |
| 96-100 |
Future Hall of Famer |
Top Pick |
A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played |
| 85-95 |
Immediate Starter |
1st |
An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter). |
| 70-84 |
Eventual Starter |
2nd-3rd |
A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position. |
| 50-69 |
Draftable Player |
4th-7th |
A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential. |
| 20-49 |
Free Agent |
UDFA |
A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body. |