Sean Payton: Detroit Lions DT Tyrunn Walker is 'exceptionally smart'

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker was signed away from the New Orleans Saints in free agency this offseason. The Lions acquired him as part of a larger effort to replace Ndamukong Suh, which also included trading for Haloti Ngata.

Back in March, when the Lions signed him, Walker's former coach, Sean Payton, raved about Walker's intelligence.

"He’s really versatile and he’s exceptionally smart," Payton said, according to the Lions' official website. "I think he’s a great locker room guy too. Probably one of the smartest guys in that room.

"He’s going to know each position and he’s going to bump the guy to the left who’s not aligned right. He’s exceptionally smart. He’s available, healthy and he’s very, very smart."

Walker's new coach, Jim Caldwell, can now vouch for that intelligence. He has seen the fresh-faced defensive tackle pick up a lot since offseason workouts began.

"He doesn’t just learn his position, he learns everything around him," Caldwell said, via DetroitLions.com. "When you have a guy like that, he understands where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there and hopefully it helps him do his job a little bit better."

Walker entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and has come along slowly in the three seasons since. Last year, he played all 16 games for the first time but started just one, collecting 2.5 sacks and less than 20 tackles.

Because of his football smarts, however, Walker's impact will go beyond the statbook, as he'll make those who line up around him better players.

(h/t Detroit Lions)

Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images