Lions Sign DT Tyrunn Walker

[grandy]

https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/576181634648518656

 

[sggatecl]

Earned positive marks in rush and pass defense, albeit in very limited play. He's young, probably worth the 1 year flyer.

 

[kdp1980]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/03/detroit_lions_sign_under-the-r.html

Detroit Lions sign under-the-radar DT Tyrunn Walker

The Detroit Lions have signed New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker.(AP File Photo)

By*Justin Rogers | [email protected]*
Follow on Twitter*
on March 12, 2015 at 9:02 PM, updated*March 12, 2015 at 9:07 PM

View/Post Comments

The Detroit Lions added their first free agent since the signing period opened Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year deal with defensive tackle*Tyrunn Walker.

An undrafted free agent out of Tulsa in 2012, Walker has seen his role grow with the New Orleans Saints each of the past three seasons.

As a rookie, he was inactive all 16 contests. He saw spot duty in seven games in 2013 before earning a full-time role last season. He appeared in all 16 games, including a start in the season-finale, while averaging*19 defensive snaps.

The 6-foot-3, 294-pound Walker recorded 19 tackles last season, including 2.5 sacks. Despite the limited playing time, Pro Football Focus graded him 21st among 81 qualifying defensive tackles. The service credited him with an impressive 18 quarterback hurries on just 197 pass-rush snaps.*

According to NFL Network report Ian Rapoport, Walker, 24, was generating under-the-radar buzz on the market.

The Lions clearly liked what they saw,committing $1.75 million to the young defensive tackle, including a $750,000 signing bonus.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Very under rated player. Football Focus ranked him 21st best DT in the league. Could be a steal.

 

[kdp1980]

Not taking long to get solid depth at DT, I still expect atleast 1 or 2 more signed.

 

[mhughes0021]

Our first free agent signing! atleast we didn't spend all our chips at the first table lol. good signing though...needed depth on both lines. Heck this guy may end up starting for us....

 

[sggatecl]

As cheap as he came, I wonder why they didn't invest a 2nd year.

 

[tonyballs]

Our first free agent signing! atleast we didn't spend all our chips at the first table lol. good signing though...needed depth on both lines. Heck this guy may end up starting for us....

Reported that several teams were interested too. Could be a diamond in the ruff.

 

[biggunsbob]

Sweet print me some super bowl tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tonyballs]

Sweet print me some super bowl tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try and be positive for once in your fkn life. This isn't the sexy pick all of us were looking for, but this could turn out to be a sweet deal. Think George Johson but possibly better....

 

[sggatecl]

Sweet print me some super bowl tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not sure what's worse, sarcasm over a solid signing like Walker from you or blind homer bullshit over the Ngata deal from LKP.

 

[tomdalton22]

Can't believe he is that good if nobody (including the Lions) was willing to give him more than a one year deal.

 

[LKP]

1 year 1.75 million (1 million base, 750 signing)

He graded out very well. 18 hurries in only 197 pass rush snaps. Played 5 tech and nose in the Saints 3-4.

Good under the radar signing.

 

[brewer229]

Sounds like he could be 4-3 or 3-4 based on my limited research on a guy I know nothing about. Hard to get excited about it, but at the price can't be disappointed either. Hopefully he can come in and make some impact.

 

[inkfreq]

Sounds like he could be 4-3 or 3-4 based on my limited research on a guy I know nothing about. Hard to get excited about it, but at the price can't be disappointed either. Hopefully he can come in and make some impact.

One of the newspapers I oversee in New Iberia, LA has a managing editor that is a sports fanatic.

He's already emailed me today to express his extreme displeasure at his team losing what he calls "the best backup DT in football, and a guy who should be starting for us next year."

I trust his opinion greatly, he's a smart guy. If he thinks so highly of Walker, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[zyxt9]

Backups can develop into starters and hopefully thus guy does. Draft another DT still, no idea what will happen by next year so it would be good to KNOW we have a good DT locked up. Of course, that implies they draft a good DT so there is that.

 

[mhughes0021]

at the least hes smart.....saw a chance to come play next to ngata for a year and jumped at it.

 

[LKP]

We have about 5.5 million left. Less 1.8 for the draft. Another 1.8 for top 53 and PS.

If we want Blalock, we'll restrucutre someone. Not a big deal with Suh gone in 2016 and 17 million of dead money off the books. We'll have almost 30 million in room next year.

 

[tsmith7559]

CJ Mosley replacement at half the cost.. nice

 

[LKP]

CJ Mosley replacement at half the cost.. nice

Walker is more pass rush DT than run defense. And versitile can play nose or 5 tech in a 3-4.He could be 3 techor nose here in 4-3.

Ngata is basically Fairley/Mosley into one guy if he plays all 16 unlike Fairley.

Still got a draft too. Malcolm Brown would look nice next to Ngata with Walker/Reid backing them up and Jones sliding inside on passing downs some.

Waddle/Lucas I have faith in them still especially if we get Blalock to fill LG. Enough to take Brown.