Bears sign EDGE DeMarcus Walker to 3yr deal

[crueltyabc]

I think he'll be LDE for us?



I wanted Poles to sign a bunch of guys in the $5-10m range to spread around the roster so I guess I'm getting my wish

[duckherd50]

I have never even heard of this guy.....any good?

[Rusty Trombagent]

didnt he line up more as a DT in tennessee?

[Rusty Trombagent]

didnt he line up more as a DT in tennessee?

a bit of both, i guess

[wab]

He’s a cheaper version of Jones.

[HurricaneBear]

He’s a cheaper version of Jones.

Do you think they intend him for the 3T like Jones was talked about? Or is that still a hole that needs to be filled?

[Rusty Trombagent]

[crueltyabc]

PFF has a great grade on him in 2022 (72.8) but he's been a part-time player to this point. He only had 427 snaps which is like half as many as starters might play. Here's their description:

Walker got off to a very slow start to his career, logging fewer than 350 snaps combined over his first three seasons. However, he's played more than that amount in each of the last three seasons since as a solid rotational edge rusher. Walker set career-highs in quarterback pressures (30) and defensive stops (16) in 2021, and he backed that up with 32 quarterback pressures, seven sacks and 21 defensive stops in 2022. He has posted a pressure rate above 10% in back-to-back seasons - a lot of teams could benefit from Walker logging around 400-500 productive snaps off the edge.

[G08]

He’s a cheaper version of Jones.

Yep, little more stiff as well IMO.

[Rusty Trombagent]

PFF has a great grade on him in 2022 (72.8) but he's been a part-time player to this point. He only had 427 snaps which is like half as many as starters might play. Here's their description:

Walker got off to a very slow start to his career, logging fewer than 350 snaps combined over his first three seasons. However, he's played more than that amount in each of the last three seasons since as a solid rotational edge rusher. Walker set career-highs in quarterback pressures (30) and defensive stops (16) in 2021, and he backed that up with 32 quarterback pressures, seven sacks and 21 defensive stops in 2022. He has posted a pressure rate above 10% in back-to-back seasons - a lot of teams could benefit from Walker logging around 400-500 productive snaps off the edge.

Poles definitely has a type

[southdakbearfan]

He’s a cheaper version of Jones.

Do you think they intend him for the 3T like Jones was talked about? Or is that still a hole that needs to be filled?

He’s a player that can play, fills a hole either inside or out, and frees up draft versatility.

[wab]

He’s a cheaper version of Jones.

Do you think they intend him for the 3T like Jones was talked about? Or is that still a hole that needs to be filled?

He’s got some versatility. I could see him lining up at multiple places. Denver even played him at LB when he first came into the NFL.

[thunderspirit]

Decent. Has the ability to play up and down the line. Fair production over the past 2-3 seasons.

Not exciting, maybe, but a piece.

[crueltyabc]

Trying to find the bright side: at least he's versatile and that helps give some flexibility in the draft.

Honestly it's a good signing, it's just not the impact guy any of us were hoping for.

[wulfy]

We needed Dudes.

[The Cooler King]

Trying to find the bright side: at least he's versatile and that helps give some flexibility in the draft.

Honestly it's a good signing, it's just not the impact guy any of us were hoping for.

Still room cap wise. But definitely true impact guys lacking left in FA on the DL. Some interesting names I still like though.

[southdakbearfan]

I think the impact 3T or edge is coming in the draft.

[crueltyabc]

Trying to find the bright side: at least he's versatile and that helps give some flexibility in the draft.

Honestly it's a good signing, it's just not the impact guy any of us were hoping for.

Still room cap wise. But definitely try impact guys lacking left in FA on the DL. Some interesting names I still like though.

Sheldon Rankins
A'Shawn Robinson

They would be fine compliments to our splash defensive signing who is an off-ball linebacker

[bbaker]

[The Cooler King]

Still room cap wise. But definitely try impact guys lacking left in FA on the DL. Some interesting names I still like though.

Sheldon Rankins
A'Shawn Robinson

They would be fine compliments to our splash defensive signing who is an off-ball linebacker

Also Dalvin Tomlinson at NT. Then your into rotation guy territory inside I think.

Clowney, Ebukam, Key for DE. Some aged vets too if they really want a stop gap. Also a super deep draft class.

[wab]

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I know raw stats aren't everything and Allen is two years younger but per Pro Football Reference:

Zach Allen (3 year $45.75m contract with $32.5m guaranteed)
2020: 56% of defensive snaps, 2 hurries, 4 knockdowns, 2.0 sacks (8 total pressures)
2021: 70% of defensive snaps, 4 hurries, 10 knockdowns, 4.0 sacks (18 total pressures)
2022: 79% of defensive snaps, 7 hurries, 12 knockdowns, 5.5 sacks, (25 total pressures)

DeMarcus Walker (3 year $21m contract with $16m guaranteed)
2020: 43% of defensive snaps, 3 hurries, 1 knockdowns, 4.5 sacks (9 total pressures)
2021: 52% of defensive snaps, 6 hurries, 6 knockdowns, 2.0 sacks (14 total pressures)
2022: 37% of defensive snaps, 2 hurries, 2 knockdowns, 7.0 sacks, (17 total pressures)

The Bears like to rotate their pass rushers and based on those numbers for half the cost I'd much rather have Walker than Allen.

Here's what NBC are saying:

Walker signing has potential to be under-the-radar steal for Bears
...

In Walker, the Bears get a young rotational edge rusher with inside-outside versatility. Last season, Walker recorded seven sacks, 32 pressures, and 16 quarterback hits for the Tennessee Titans, per Pro Football Focus. Those numbers would have ranked first in all three categories on the Bears last season.
...

Walker now has back-to-back seasons of 30 pressures. Depending on what else general manager Ryan Poles does to address the defensive line situation, Walker should be able to come in and start immediately.
...

Full article: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears ... teal-bears

[Yogi da Bear]

We needed Dudes.

Our next signing. The only question being if we have to pee on his rug first: lol

[RichH55]

I know nothing about this player - hoping for the best

[thunderspirit]

[Rusty Trombagent]

[dplank]

We need size up front, I’ll take it

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Denver even played him at LB when he first came into the NFL.

Ahhhhhhh NOW it makes sense

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Certainly a lot more productive when lined up on the left.

[Grizzled]

Not a nose or 3T, more a one fap guy but gets pressure on QB from the interior, which the team needs. Another value guy.