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ESPN really liked the DeMarcus Walker pick for Denver Broncos

By Sayre Bedinger

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive end Demarcus Walker speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive end Demarcus Walker speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft: ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both seemed to really like the Broncos’ pick of DeMarcus Walker in the 2nd round…

The Denver Broncos were happy to have Florida State defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker fall into their laps with the 51st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Walker was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year this past season after he lit up the conference to the tune of 68 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Walker is known by many as a ‘tweener’ or someone without a true position coming into the league, but by golly can this kid get to the quarterback.

It’s really a sight to behold, one that I’m sure had the Denver Broncos absolutely giddy to be able to select him in round two.

Another crew that really seemed to enjoy the pick was the one at ESPN — Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Watch the first two minutes of this video to see their reaction to the Broncos’ second round pick:

Those are some pretty big time endorsements from Kiper and McShay, and I love that McShay goes into the detail of how Walker knew everything about the linemen he was facing in the bowl game against Michigan. And not only did he know it — he exploited it.

That’s the kind of player that has success at the next level, and that’s the kind of player and worker the Broncos are getting. Walker isn’t a base five-technique defensive end in a three-man front, but the guy can get pressure on the quarterback.

He uses quickness, long arms, and heavy hands to get in the way of opposing quarterbacks, and he’s really good at it.

The Broncos will have the opportunity to be creative about finding roles for Walker, but initially as a rookie, he could bring pressure from the inside rotationally that is desperately needed.

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