Darius Walker, ND - Declares.

[Requiem]

Scott Wright posted it on his site, supposed to be a press conference today or tomorrow. I like Darius, but I don't think he'll be an elite back in the pros. He's a borderline first-day pick right now and he should have went back for his senior seasons. Reports say he's 5-10; but he's probably smaller; but size isn't everything. Maurice Jones-Drew proved that; and where Walker isn't 212 pounds like Drew; he has a nice frame and build for his size.

What are your thoughts on him? I know we have some Notre Dame fans here.

I just see Walker as a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none type back. A guy who will never break very long gains and doesn't have great speed; but is a football player who can consistently produce. I'd say he has a little Curtis Martin in him.

I actually wouldn't be opposed to using our last third-rounder on the kid, depending on the value.

[Drek]

As an ND fan I have no idea why he's chosen to declare, going back for another season and having a draft class without Peterson, Lynch, Bush, etc. in '08 would have done nothing but helped his cause.

As a Broncos fan I'm intrigued. He has desceptive speed, very good hands, good vision, and handles contact well. He's a much better runner than Julius Jones was in my opinion, and reports had us considering him with Tatum in round 2 a few years ago. If we could snag Walker with one of our 3rds I'd be real happy.

[brncs_fan]

Official link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2727858

Walker is probably late third round talent who could benefit a lot from a team willing to give him time to grow into an NFL position. I think a lot of his yards this year were gained on the basis that people were more afraid of Quinn connecting w/ McKnight and Samardzija and were less focused on the run.

The only ND player that has peaked my interest in the last few years has been Fasano when he came out. I honestly doubt he would be able to unseat either of the Bells on the depth chart.

I think he wanted to get out of South Bend while the getting was good. They are getting ready to turn over the good majority of their offense and thought he would fair better in this draft than in next years.

[youcandoit1687]

He was the only bright spot in the Sugar Bowl but as someone mentioned, I think that was a product of teams fearing the run. He is pretty fast around the edge but not very big. He would be a good Leon Washington-type back. He is worth maybe a fourth rounder(hoping we get one) IMO, maybe a late third if we get a 5th day one pick.

[Steve Prefontaine]

I'm a ND fan and I think Walker would be a solid pick in the 3rd round. I'm surprised he declared this year, but I'm happy it adds to the running back depth in this draft class. At least if the Broncos don't grab one of the elite backs in the 1st round, there will be some quality backs available in the 2nd and 3rd.

[usedupbraids]

Originally Posted by ECBronco

I'm a ND fan and I think Walker would be a solid pick in the 3rd round. I'm surprised he declared this year, but I'm happy it adds to the running back depth in this draft class. At least if the Broncos don't grab one of the elite backs in the 1st round, there will be some quality backs available in the 2nd and 3rd.

I think the broncos dont go after a running back this year,the broncos will be looking at the D-line and SS.

[OrangeShadow]

I dont really watch a lot of ND games. can the kid run between the tackles very well?

[usedupbraids]

Originally Posted by OrangeShadow

I dont really watch a lot of ND games. can the kid run between the tackles very well?

he kind of holds the ball like tiki runs ok seep will be like a 89 out of 100

[youcandoit1687]

Originally Posted by usedupbraids

he kind of holds the ball like tiki runs ok seep will be like a 89 out of 100

huh? Anyways, in response to OrangeShadow's post, he didn't run inside much on LSU and when he did go through the line, he'd break out immediately. He was pretty good on screens and plays in open space, hence the Leon Washington comparison.

[usedupbraids]

Originally Posted by youcandoit1687

huh? Anyways, in response to OrangeShadow's post, he didn't run inside much on LSU and when he did go through the line, he'd break out immediately. He was pretty good on screens and plays in open space, hence the Leon Washington comparison.

[ludo21]

Pass...

Walker may be decent, but needs to add weight. In open field he is decpetively fast tho.

[usedupbraids]

Originally Posted by usedupbraids

he kind of holds the ball like tiki runs ok seep will be like a 89 out of 100

Speed opps

[Drek]

Originally Posted by OrangeShadow

I dont really watch a lot of ND games. can the kid run between the tackles very well?

He's got good vision, picks the right hole, and is quick through it, has never been easily brought down by arm tackles at the college level, but with his size you have to wonder if that's about to take a major turn at the NFL level.

I really like Walker's game, he was a much better runner his entire career at ND than Julius Jones ever was, even the rare times teams stacked the box on him. He's an instinctive runner, but he's a little small and he's not a track star.

If it was the choice between Kenny Irons in the 2nd or Walker in the 3rd, I'll take Walker every day of the week. I think he could beat out Tatum because he's good in the passing game, receiving and blocking, thanks to Weiss. Like Tatum though he might not be able to hold up, so if he was our only RB added I think we'd see a lot more Mike Bell than anyone else in '07. Walker could be good if he can add another 10-15 pounds, but with an already pretty built frame it won't be easy to do without losing speed.

[youcandoit1687]

Originally Posted by usedupbraids

Speed opps

ohhhh lol It's all so much clearer now. I am not much of a Madden guy, I just play at friends' houses.

[Steve Prefontaine]

Originally Posted by usedupbraids

I think the broncos dont go after a running back this year,the broncos will be looking at the D-line and SS.

I hope you are wrong. They need to draft or sign another back to compete. I hope they grab one in the first 3 rounds.

[bpc]

If they don't get Lynch, I wouldn't mind taking a look at this guy.

He has had a very quiet year for having 1300yds rushing and over 1000 yds receiving. He has been the focus of ND's offense despite most thinking Brady was the man leading them.

He could be a very good player. Maybe a Ricky Watter's minus the overall speed. In the nfl today, you need to have versatility. Walker has that.

[dumpy]

Big ND fan and watched every ND game. Walker is the one player (on offense) that would drive me nuts. He was always trying to beat players running around the outside (really bad as a freshman). He got better running between the tackles his Soph. and Jr. years. Once he got through the first line, he would try a 3 to 4 step juke move to get around the LBs. He definately could use another year of college (and I'm happy he's gone from ND). Good on the screen, but could be a lot better runner if he'd make one move and go.

[yerner]

i never thought he was anything special. doubt he'd even play if we got him.

[OrangeShadow]

i think we'll look at RB more in free agency/trade like kevin jones or thomas jones

[FloridaResident]

he flat out sucks!

[youcandoit1687]

Originally Posted by FloridaResident

he flat out sucks!

Deep insight from FloridaResident.

[Drunk Monkey]

Originally Posted by dumpy

Big ND fan and watched every ND game. Walker is the one player (on offense) that would drive me nuts. He was always trying to beat players running around the outside (really bad as a freshman). He got better running between the tackles his Soph. and Jr. years. Once he got through the first line, he would try a 3 to 4 step juke move to get around the LBs. He definately could use another year of college (and I'm happy he's gone from ND). Good on the screen, but could be a lot better runner if he'd make one move and go.

I agree, I also saw every game (big fan) and while he has tallent he has problems. I don't get why you are all harping on his speed. He is slower then you all think. His best attribute is his vision. He saw holes and made sure he was in a position to hit them. He will get eaten alive in the pro's.

[chaz]

Originally Posted by OrangeShadow

i think we'll look at RB more in free agency/trade like kevin jones or thomas jones

why dont people understand that kevin jones' injury put his career in danger...i dont get why you want to trade for someone who, if they ever play again, will never be the same!