The 2024 NFL Draft is stacked with a deep and talented wide receiver class, with potential for twelve or more selections in the first 50 picks. North Carolina’s Devontez Walker, a long and athletic receiver, could be a potential addition to the New York Giants’ offense, despite the need for weapons.
Devontez Walker is a long, athletic wide receiver prospect with a fluid, fluid stride and deceptive speed. He primarily lines up as an outside receiver, but can also align in the slot. Walker has a solid release package and can quickly enter routes against both zone and man coverage. He uses quick hand and footwork to slip past presses and accelerate hard off the line of scrimmage. Walker has solid ball skills downfield, locating and tracking the ball, making adjustments, and extending to maximize his catch radius. He is a willing blocker on the perimeter.
Walker’s length and quickness can be influenced by physical coverage and weight, impacting his blocking abilities. He can penetrate opponents’ chest plates, but stronger defenders can overpower him. At the NFL level, Walker needs to improve his route precision and break crispness. He’s not used to a diverse route tree in college, benefiting from defenders’ less awareness.
Projection
Devontez Walker is a potential secondary outside receiver in the NFL, offering vertical threat and speed. Despite not being a detailed route runner, Walker’s ability to run away from defenders and open his stride could make him a valuable asset for teams seeking physical offensive players.
