Potential Steelers Draft Target Played Injured in 2024
It was discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine that Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker played injured in 2024.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have done extensive homework on the 2025 NFL Draft’s defensive line class and it has been found that one of the top prospects played injured in 2024.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, it was discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine that Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker played in 2024 with a stress fracture in his back.
Walker, 21, is now fully healthy, but it will be up to teams to determine if he’s worth the risk.
The injury explains his down 2024 campaign, during which he had just 37 tackles (13 solo) and 1.5 sacks. But the question is if he can reach his 2023 form once again when he had a career-high 55 tackles (28 solo), 7.5 sacks and two passes defensed.
Walker currently ranks as the consensus No. 93 overall player and 12th-best defensive lineman on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board.
However, he was once as high as No. 34. If Walker later proves that should have remained the case, he could turn out to be a steal on Day 2 of the draft.
The Steelers could be the team willing to take that chance, too. Head coach Mike Tomlin got a close look at all of the defensive linemen, including Walker, as the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
If Tomlin liked what he saw from Walker up close, Pittsburgh could be targeting the massive 6-foot-7, 331-pound defensive tackle with its third-round pick (No. 83).
That’s a big if, though, after Walker turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine. He posted a 25-inch vertical jump and 8-foot-8 broad jump while also showcasing impressive athleticism at his size during drills.