Devontez Walker | UNC 6’1½ ” 193 lbs. 06/19/2001 (22)
Devontez Walker was drafted 113th overall by the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the 19th wide receiver and 113th overall player in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Catch | TDs |
| 2021 (FR) | 8 | 5 | 124 | 24.8 | 1 |
| 2022 (SO) | 12 | 58 | 921 | 15.9 | 11 |
| 2023 (SO) | 8 | 41 | 699 | 17.0 | 7 |
During the 2020 season, Walker was supposed to play for North Carolina Central after committing as a three-star recruit. Unfortunately, their season was canceled due to COVID-19. He spent the next two years in the MAC conference, hauling in passes for Kent State. He turned heads as a Sophomore in 2022, leading the team with 58 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. This was good enough to land him on the First-team All-MAC club. In his lone season playing for the Tar Heels, he managed to only play in eight games but he was uber-effective during his time on the field. Walker managed to snag 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns. Although he missed some time, he still managed to earn Third-team All-ACC accolades.
FILM
STRENGTHS
Natural playmaker, who is as dangerous as any receiver in this class with the ball in his hands. Does an exceptional job taking the top of the defense, as he separates from his defenders with his blazing speed while also displaying great ball-tracking skills downfield. Fluid athlete with strong hands and a huge catch radius. Tremendous leaping abilities. Able to fully extend over his defenders with his long arms and lengthy wingspan. Can haul in contested catches on the regular. Shows a willingness to body up defenders, as he often won a lot of his slant routes inside the red zone.
WEAKNESSES
Route tree is limited. Needs to improve on his cuts (sloppy footwork) and can often be found drifting on some of his down-the-field routes. Has to improve on coming back to the throw, as he’s often standing and waiting for the pass on stay routes. Hesitates when he initially comes off the line of scrimmage. Short-area quickness is disappointing considering his superb speed. Could improve as a run-blocker as well.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the NFL combine, Walker measured in at 6’1½” and 193 lbs, which equates to a BMI of 24.9. He ran a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash (96th percentile), equating to a 108.3-speed score (89th percentile). Walker also displayed a 135.9 burst score (98th percentile) and a college dominator score of 43.3 percent (89th percentile).
Walker shows elite speed and leaping abilities. Out of 30 wide receiver participants at the Combine, Walker finished second in the broad jump (134”), fourth in the 40-yard dash (4.36 seconds), and fifth in the vertical jump (40.5”). His biggest red flag would be his short-area burst speed abilities, as his 1.54-second 10-yard split was mediocre at best. He finished tied for 16th out of 30 receivers. With his elite speed, this was disappointing to see.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Good
Walker was selected with the 113th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
After departing ways with Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, Baltimore looked to add more depth behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. In comes Walker to compete with Nelson Agholor, Deonte Harty, and Tylan Wallace as the team’s WR3.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
I had a fourth-round grade on Walker, and he was my 17th-ranked wide receiver in this class. Don’t be surprised if he comes in and becomes the Ravens’ WR3 right away as a rookie. The talent surrounding him on this team outside of Flowers and Bateman is subpar at best.
In your rookie drafts, Walker should be considered to go somewhere between the middle of the third round and the beginning of the fourth. He doesn’t have a ton of upside and his landing spot isn’t off the charts. But he’s a serviceable receiver in a decent landing spot. He seems like a solid depth piece and a safe pick at the end of the third round.
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