Darius Walker - option at RB for the Packers?

[Patler]

Having watched most every game he played at ND, I would not mind the Packers taking a shot at him, He most likely will be available in the 3rd round, maybe even the fourth, although I'm not sure why. The way I see him:

1. He is a classic one-cut runner, sees a hole gets to it and runs toward the endzone.
2. He doesn't have great speed, but seems to be "fast enough" on the football field.
3. He is not real big, but runs surprisingly hard, and breaks a lot of tackles.
4. He set Notre Dame records for receptions by a runningback, catches the ball easily.
5. He fumbled on average only about once every 100 touches.
6. He is a very good blocker in pass protection, picks up linebackers very well.
7. He just seems like a very smart football player, even as a Freshman the coaches commented on how solid he was fundamentally.

After three season at ND he very quietly became one of the best runningbacks statistically in ND history. Multiple thousand yard seasons. 4.7 yards/carry average. He seems like one of those lesser-acclaimed runningbacks that could shine in a zone blocking running game, especially if spelled periodically with someone like Morrency.

[ND72]

Since he's an ND guy...I'll chip in. I'm really "eh" about Darius Walker, because he doesn't have a lot of speed. But...I've seen a couple draft magazines that talk about how he is the best zone runner in the draft, which I can really see. He's extremely smart...and he has great vision. Besides that, he's a GREAT reciever out of the backfield. HE might be the "best" match with Vernand Morency in the entire draft. He's interesting to me. I'm on the fence about him. If we take him, I think he could be really good for our system, especially paired with Morency.

[Patler]

Since he's an ND guy...I'll chip in. I'm really "eh" about Darius Walker, because he doesn't have a lot of speed. But...I've seen a couple draft magazines that talk about how he is the best zone runner in the draft, which I can really see. He's extremely smart...and he has great vision. Besides that, he's a GREAT reciever out of the backfield. HE might be the "best" match with Vernand Morency in the entire draft. He's interesting to me. I'm on the fence about him. If we take him, I think he could be really good for our system, especially paired with Morency.

That's exactly the way I see him. He does not have great 40 times, yet I saw him break enough long runs that I am convinced he plays faster than he times. More importantly, he runs extremely hard and will break tackles going through a hole.

I'm not real excited about him, but I certainly would not be disappointed for the Packers to take a shot at him. He might be one of those guys that at the end of the season you look at the stats and ask "How did he get 1100 yards rushing?" He'll do it without a big game, but a consistent 50-100 yards every game.

[ND72]

Right. And he blocks well too, so you could put him and Morency in at the same time. And, he could get you that 1,100 yards rushing, and give you a good 400-500 yards recieving, which is really why I've liked him.

[LL2]

It would seem logical for TT to take a guy like Walker. You never see Denver investing a first rd pick in a RB and they have one of the best running games in the NFL. It seems you have to find the right “guy” for ZBS not the best RB prospect. Only 12 days to D day!

[ND72]

everyone talks about needing a "speedster" when really, in a zone offense, the really fast guys (Reggie Bush) aren't always the best zone runners. In fact if you watch a Saints game, when Bush runs the ball, it's rarely, if ever a zone...it's usually a toss where he can catch and use his speed, or a quick off tackle type play. which is what we could have in a Walker/Morency combo. Walker is a true zone runner, and isn't afraid to go up the middle and lower his shoulder. Morency is more of a speed guy, where if you let him use it, he could be dangerous...yet he can run zone pretty well also. Good Thread here Patler...I never really thought of Walker coming to GB, just cause I was never that big of a fan of his at ND...but the more I think of it, the better off I think we could be with him.

[Patler]

Walker just seems like a guy that would "fit" what the Packers need. I am not comfortable with Morrency taking the snaps Green did in the passing game. He looks uncomfortable at times as a receiver, and his blocking is suspect. Walker excells in both. I really like the physical way Walker runs. He keeps driving when hit, like Green, although he is smaller than Green and not as powerful. He runs low, and is not an easy guy to tackle.

Plus, he will be available, and cheap!

[MJZiggy]

Plus, he will be available, and cheap!

TT's favorite kind of player... :P

[pittstang5]

I never gave Walker too much of a thought, but you two have me sold on him. The best thing about him, it seems the Pack could get him in the later rounds and he'd probably be a quality starter his first year.

[mmmdk]

I thought Walker was a J.J. Arrington type of player!? But JJ, as I remember him, was fast in college. Arrington showed a little in his second season for Cards; as for a Packer RB...anybody has to be better than Herron though Herron is a smart player but little playmaking ability. Morency is a nice #2 RB.

[BallHawk]

I think that, if we take a RB, it will be either Walker or Antonio Pittman. Pittman is #1 on my list, but I would be fine with Walker. Hell, anybody not named Marshawn I'd be happy with.

[the_idle_threat]

I watched him in this video, and I don't see the "good hands." He dropped every pass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZE1-Z3Bmys

[b bulldog]

I think Pittman is also considered bhy many the best ZBS runner in this draft and I would much rather have him than Walker.

[Joemailman]

Sporting News doesn't think highly of Walker. They have him lasting until late in the 7th round. I don't know about that, but I wouldn't take him earlier that round 5.

Darius Walker
RB, Notre Dame

War Room analysis
Strengths: Is a smooth and fluid athlete with the quick footwork to stop and start quickly to avoid defenders. Shows good instincts and vision. Excels at following blockers and cutting off them. Is surprisingly strong; consistently absorbs hard hits and keeps on going, and runs through arm tackles. Is nifty and agile between the tackles. Shows terrific hands as a receiver.

Weaknesses: Lacks explosiveness to shoot through holes and breakaway speed to get behind the defense. Struggles to get through fast-closing holes on the backside. Doesn't run aggressively, lower his shoulders or deliver blows. Doesn't attack if the holes aren't there. In pass protection, shows inconsistent effort and technique. Runs upright, taking plenty of hard hits and raising durability concerns.

Bottom line: Walker should have stayed at Notre Dame for his senior season because he lacks the speed, burst and size/strength to be an NFL starter. With his skills, he projects a backup with the hands and agility to produce as a third-down back.



Career statistics

Rushing Receiving
Team Att. Yds. Avg. TD Att./TD Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
'04 Notre Dame 185 821 4.4 7 26.4 10 74 7.4 0
'05 Notre Dame 253 1274 5.0 9 28.1 43 351 8.2 2
'06 Notre Dame 255 1310 5.1 7 36.4 56 391 7.0 1
Totals 693 3405 4.9 23 30.1 109 816 7.5 3




Most glaring weakness as I see it would be their claim that he struggles to get through fast closing holes on the backside. However, as Brady Quinn knows, ND didn't have a great OL, so maybe that's not all his fault

[K-town]

Always seemed to me that he was effective at the college level, but wouldn't do as well in the NFL. A try-hard, good-character guy without a second gear or the overall talent to be an impact player. We had a guy that reminds me of Walker a few years back. Also from Notre Dame. Name of Tony Fisher. Walker, IMO, is better, but not by much.
But I could be wrong. I've been wrong before.