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With all of the hype and attention surrounding star rookie Rueben Bain Jr., it may be easy for people to overlook David Walker.
That would be a mistake.
Walker, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round last year, missed his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL during practice in late July. He had looked good in OTAs and minicamp, and the Bucs appeared to have gotten a steal.
Tampa only recorded 37 sacks in 2025 and made improving its defense a focal point of the offseason. The Bucs drafted Bain in the first round, even turning down a significant offer to trade down two spots out of fear they might lose him. The team also signed defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson and edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, who had 11 sacks last season with the Detroit Lions, in free agency.
While Bain is earning massive praise from everyone who has seen him play, including being named to an All-Rookie team and becoming the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Walker's addition to the defense also has the potential to have a huge impact.
It hasn't taken him long to make his presence known. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Walker is healthy again and turning heads at training camp.
Stroud reported that Walker had notched a sack in each of Tampa's first four practices. Monday, in the first practice with pads on, he made it five days in a row, showing the promise that had the team so high on him last year. The Bucs have several talented players who Walker must compete with for playing time, but he is making it hard to keep him off the field.
Head coach Todd Bowles expressed his excitement with how Walker has looked so far.
“He’s got his quickness and his speed back. So as a pass rusher, he’s looked very good as far as his movements and everything else. I was just excited to see him in pads last year (before the injury), so right now he looks very good. He’s looking fast.”
As Stroud noted, the only evidence Walker had suffered any kind of injury was the brace he is wearing on his left leg.
In addition to making plays each day of training camp, Walker is also getting an opportunity to showcase some versatility. Vita Vea's "back injury" has allowed him to kick inside occasionally. Coach Bowles noted his ability to play inside, at defensive end, outside linebacker, and to be lined up on either side of the formation.
“I think he can do almost everything,” Bowles said. “Height-wise, he’s probably the shortest of the bunch. Everybody forgets he’s 260-something. He plays with great leverage and power. I think he’s played both sides. He’s probably a good inside kicker as well getting off the ball and doing some things like that. So when he gets the pads on (Monday), we’ll figure it out.”
Stroud pointed out that, thus far in camp, Walker looks like the team's best pass rusher outside of Bain and last season's sack leader, YaYa Diaby.
Kudos to Stroud for highlighting Walker and how important he can be to Tampa's defense. All of the free agents and draft picks the Bucs have added to the defense this offseason could have pushed Walker to the bottom of the depth chart, but he has refused to let that happen.
Walker's gift of being able to get to the quarterback gives him a great shot at being a key member of Tampa's defense this season. A pass-rush that includes him, Bain, Diaby, Muhammad, along with Calijah Kancey and Vea (whenever he returns) on the inside, should be much improved from a season ago.
A healthy Walker could provide a big boost to Bowles' defense as the Bucs try to return to the playoffs this season.
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That would be a mistake.
Walker, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round last year, missed his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL during practice in late July. He had looked good in OTAs and minicamp, and the Bucs appeared to have gotten a steal.
Tampa only recorded 37 sacks in 2025 and made improving its defense a focal point of the offseason. The Bucs drafted Bain in the first round, even turning down a significant offer to trade down two spots out of fear they might lose him. The team also signed defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson and edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, who had 11 sacks last season with the Detroit Lions, in free agency.
While Bain is earning massive praise from everyone who has seen him play, including being named to an All-Rookie team and becoming the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Walker's addition to the defense also has the potential to have a huge impact.
It hasn't taken him long to make his presence known. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Walker is healthy again and turning heads at training camp.
Making Plays Every Day
Stroud reported that Walker had notched a sack in each of Tampa's first four practices. Monday, in the first practice with pads on, he made it five days in a row, showing the promise that had the team so high on him last year. The Bucs have several talented players who Walker must compete with for playing time, but he is making it hard to keep him off the field.
Head coach Todd Bowles expressed his excitement with how Walker has looked so far.
“He’s got his quickness and his speed back. So as a pass rusher, he’s looked very good as far as his movements and everything else. I was just excited to see him in pads last year (before the injury), so right now he looks very good. He’s looking fast.”
As Stroud noted, the only evidence Walker had suffered any kind of injury was the brace he is wearing on his left leg.
Walker Showing Versatility
In addition to making plays each day of training camp, Walker is also getting an opportunity to showcase some versatility. Vita Vea's "back injury" has allowed him to kick inside occasionally. Coach Bowles noted his ability to play inside, at defensive end, outside linebacker, and to be lined up on either side of the formation.
“I think he can do almost everything,” Bowles said. “Height-wise, he’s probably the shortest of the bunch. Everybody forgets he’s 260-something. He plays with great leverage and power. I think he’s played both sides. He’s probably a good inside kicker as well getting off the ball and doing some things like that. So when he gets the pads on (Monday), we’ll figure it out.”
Stroud pointed out that, thus far in camp, Walker looks like the team's best pass rusher outside of Bain and last season's sack leader, YaYa Diaby.
Final Thoughts
Kudos to Stroud for highlighting Walker and how important he can be to Tampa's defense. All of the free agents and draft picks the Bucs have added to the defense this offseason could have pushed Walker to the bottom of the depth chart, but he has refused to let that happen.
Walker's gift of being able to get to the quarterback gives him a great shot at being a key member of Tampa's defense this season. A pass-rush that includes him, Bain, Diaby, Muhammad, along with Calijah Kancey and Vea (whenever he returns) on the inside, should be much improved from a season ago.
A healthy Walker could provide a big boost to Bowles' defense as the Bucs try to return to the playoffs this season.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
