Charles Walker, DL, Oklahoma: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Charles Walker (97) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Walker knows he took a huge gamble to prepare early for the 2017 NFL draft. Does he have the skill set to make it pay off?

Position: DL

School: Oklahoma

Year: RS Junior

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 299 lbs

STRENGTHS:

Charles Walker can split a double team before you even blink an eye #Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/HEW46lFgDa

— Daniel Parlegreco (@DTPDraftScout) November 17, 2016

It’s plays like this that will get teams excited about the possibilities with Walker. When he gets a good burst off the snap his acceleration enables him to shoot gaps on passing downs. That lower body strength splits the blockers before they can stop him and he creates instant heat on the quarterback. That is textbook for a three-technique defensive tackle in the NFL.

WEAKNESSES:

DL Charles Walker (Oklahoma, 6'2", 299lbs) seems to be whatever the opposite of "non-stop motor" is. THEN I found out he quit his team. pic.twitter.com/WU7wDioqX1

— My Colts Account (@MyColtsAccount) January 26, 2017

This sort of sequence is not a good look, especially in the eyes of coaches. Walker does a poor job in the first play of trying to create any sort of pressure on the pocket. He sort of just resigns himself to the fact he’s being double-teamed. On the next play he clearly drops to half speed on a rollout pass he was very much in position to make a play on. That kind of lackadaisical effort is what drives evalutors crazy. They don’t like players who won’t give it their all.

Pro Comparison: Clinton McDonald

McDonald has carved out a decent career in the NFL has a steady starter at defensive tackle. He doesn’t do anything great but he’s at least good for the occasional sacks during a season and isn’t overpowered too often in the ground game. He’s often at his best when used in a rotational role that keeps him fresh. Walker fits the same body type, skill set and motor.

Projection: 4th to 5th rounds

Walker has enough physical ability to where there is a definite chance he could become an effective starter in the NFL. He needs to develop much better use of his hands and improve his snap anticipation. At this point he’s just not enough of an impact guy to warrant higher draft position. Some team will take him in the middle rounds and see if they can coax that ability out of him.