Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said the excitement around second-year edge rusher David Walker and rookie Rueben Bain is 'on even plane.' Walker, a fourth-round pick from Central Arkansas, has impressed with six sacks in his last seven training camp practices. This has caught the attention of both the coaching staff and front office. That happened after a promising start to the session.
From Fourth Round to Spotlight
Despite being undersized, Walker is using his speed and quickness to stand out. Head coach Todd Bowles praised how he plays to his strengths. He noted that his smaller frame actually gives him an edge. It gives him an edge when it comes to agility and first-step burst. With six sacks in a small sample, Licht sees potential equal to 15th overall pick Bain. Bain is expected to make an immediate impact. Walker's speed can help complete a four-man edge rotation. While Bain has better physical tools, Walker’s ability to win with speed makes him a valuable piece. That is especially true in a role that emphasizes quickness over size.
Walker was a late-blooming prospect due to his size. His performance in college and training camp has changed perceptions. The Bucs selected him in the fourth round. Even though they had high expectations for him last year, an ACL injury in training camp limited his opportunities. He did not get to showcase his full capabilities with the pads on during his rookie season. That made this year the first time the team has truly seen his potential in live reps.
Because of this, the front office is optimistic about his development. They had to adjust expectations last year after the injury. The fact that he is performing well and drawing comparisons to a top-15 draft pick is a major point in his favor. It also shows how much he has improved in a short time. Even though both he and Bain are still raw in the NFL, the Bucs are impressed with what they've seen.
Bain, the team's first-round selection, is expected to step in immediately and provide a significant upgrade. However, Walker's ability to generate pressure with just his speed suggests that he could be a key part of the defense's depth. The Bucs' edge rotation should be more competitive this season. Last year, Diaby led the way, with Anthony Nelson as the second-best option. Now, Nelson is expected to take a back seat, with Bain, Diaby, and new addition Al-Quadin Muhammad at the top.
Muhammad, who signed after a career-best season with 11 sacks in Detroit, is another solid contributor. While he may not hit the same sack numbers this year, his experience and production make him a trusted rotational threat. This depth allows the team to focus on using Walker's best traits without worrying about his size or length. If he can consistently win with his quickness and agility, he can complete a four-man rotation that is much improved over last year's setup.