Scouting Report: Devontez Walker (WR) - North Carolina
Sales Pitch: “Perimeter WR who wins vertically down the field due a good blend of speed and size. Average change of direction skills creates a limited profile but has the physical tools to bring value as a field stretcher.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 1 1/2”
Weight: 193 lbs
Arm Length: 33 1/4”
Hand Size: 9 1/8”
40 Yard Dash: 4.36
10 Yard Split: 1.51
Vertical: 40.5”
Broad Jump: 11’ 2”
Short Shuttle: 4.30
3-Cone: N/A
Age: 22
Relative Athletic Score: 9.76 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 104 REC - 1,744 YDS - 16.8 YPR - 11 TD
2023: 41 REC - 699 YDS - 17 YPR - 7 TD
Strengths
Good straight-line athlete
Long frame with plus length for the position
Tough physical receiver willing to take contact at the catch point
Plus long speed to stretch the defense vertically
Competent release package that combines burst and play strength to win off the line
Weaponizes burst off the line to get to two-way goes and keep defenders guessing
Budding route running skills, shows flashes of manipulating spacing and tempo
Good separator on routes that ask him to run away from defenders
Displays strong ball tracking skills with the ability to adjust his body in the air
Strong hands that attack the ball at the catch point, length and dexterity to corral errant throws in all directions
Excellent sideline and end zone awareness
Quickly transitions from receiver to runner
Size and strength to be a functional blocker
Weaknesses
Below average quickness and agility
Inconsistent effort as a blocker
Struggles to execute nuanced moves at the line of scrimmage due to lack of quickness
Limited route tree, struggles to separate on more complicated routes
Can round off routes at the top allowing defenders access to undercutting the throw
Flashes the occasional drop when looking to turn up field
Lacks the quickness or agility to elude defenders after the catch
Inconsistent at finding open voids in zones and sliding to space
Summary
Devontez “Tez” Walker was in the public eye more than almost any other WR in college football this year and it had nothing to do with his play on the field. The former Kent State standout had to fight tooth and nail with the NCAA just to get eligibility to play for the Tarheels in 2023, a transfer he made to be closer to his ailing grandmother. As a result, Walker was limited to 8 total games (6 starts), but he was still extremely productive even in a shortened season. Walker upon his insertion to the starting lineup quickly became QB Drake Maye’s favorite downfield target. His blend of first step burst and long speed combined with fantastic ball skills makes him a big time vertical threat. Walker is at his best on one-cut routes that require him to run away from defenders He also has fantastic body control and sticky hands, two traits that made him one of Power-5’s best contested catch producers in 2023. Far from complete route runner, Walker struggles to gain separation on routes that ask him to quickly change directions due to average agility and foot quickness. He did show improvement over the course of the season, he began display a budding arsenal of releases bult around his size and speed to win at the line of scrimmage. His burst and speed really shine against man coverage but his lack of high level experience became more of an issue against zone, where he struggles to find open voids to settle in. Walker is a competent YAC player when he gets the ball with momentum facing forward, but the same lack of change of direction skills that limit his route running also reduce his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. Walker projects best as a perimeter wide receiver in a vertical passing attack that can take advantage of his speed and ball skills. While he likely lacks the high-end traits to be a WR1 in the NFL he should be strong complimentary WR2 who is able to take advantage of his 1 on 1’s on the perimeter.