The Buffalo Bills traded up in the draft Saturday to acquire defensive tackle Deone Walker.
The Bills swapped their 132nd and 169th overall picks to the Bears for their 104th pick, where they selected the 6’8″, 328-pound defensive lineman out of Kentucky.
Deone Walker’s tape is NIGHTMARE FUEL 🤯
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 29, 2025
He’s amassed 97 pressures, 15 sacks, and 70 stops in 3 years playing EVERYWHERE—from nose tackle to edge rusher.
Imagine having to block a 6’7, 342lb lineman who is quick enough to be a stand-up pass rusher… pic.twitter.com/dxoZubwqIC
Bills general manager Brandon Beane has emphasized defense so far in this year’s draft, selecting cornerback Max Hairston in the first round (30th overall), defensive tackle TJ Sanders in the second round (41st overall), defensive end Landon Jackson in the third round (72nd overall), and now Walker in the fourth.
Deone Walker joins a defensive line room that features Ed Oliver, Daquan Jones, Larry Ogunjobi, Dewayne Carter and the aforementioned TJ Sanders.
The Bills have needed a one-tech DT to play behind DaQuan Jones and Walker will get the chance to play that role. After a strong 2023 season when he had 7.5 sacks, Walker was high on draft boards, but when he played with a stress fracture in his back in 2024, his numbers dipped and so did his draft stock.
The Bills liked him enough to trade up to get him, and if he returns to his 2023 form, it will be a steal in the early fourth round.