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Mizzou’s leading edge rusher is headed to Denver.
Missouri football defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. has signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, per a report Saturday from Luca Evans of the Denver Post. The signing was announced shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Three Mizzou players were drafted this year, headlined by right tackle Armand Membou went to the New York Jets as the No. 7-overall pick. Membou will be joined by teammate Brady Cook in New Jersey, as the Mizzou QB reportedly was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Jets.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III went in the second round to the Chicago Bears, and left tackle Marcus Bryant went in the seventh round to the New England Patriots.
Here's what Walker brings to the Broncos, based on his career with Missouri:
The Broncos may have landed one of the most underrated defensive ends in his class.
After joining the Tigers as an undersized edge rusher out of Tampa, Florida, in the Class of 2020, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher had to wait two seasons and develop physically before getting his turn in the starting lineup. In 2022, that chance arrived, and he partnered with former first-round draft pick and current Arizona Cardinal Darius Robinson as Mizzou’s primary edge rushers.
He led Mizzou in sacks in each of the past two seasons.
Walker was a surprise omission from the NFL Scouting Combine after another strong campaign in his final year of collegiate eligibility. At 6-3, 250, he has the size and strength to be a productive NFL defensive end.
Walker’s strength is in pass-rushing looks. He has a long and athletic frame and an incredibly quick reaction speed to the snap, which let him frequently get into the backfield as a college player.
His main critique from league scouts appears to be that he isn’t varied enough in pass-rush moves, making him somewhat one-dimensional at the point of attack. That, of course, won’t fly in the pros.
But, if there’s any player for whom concerns ought to be taken with a grain of salt, it’s probably Walker.
Walker’s work ethic has been praised on numerous occasions by the Mizzou staff. He arrived on campus in Columbia lighter than 200 pounds and nowhere close to ready for SEC action. He graduated as a team captain and one of the most productive defensive players over the past couple years on back-to-back 10-win teams.
More: Here’s Johnny: How Missouri football DE Johnny Walker Jr. consistently got bigger, better
Walker produced 26 tackles for loss in 40 total appearances for Mizzou, including 18.5 sacks. In the past two seasons, he notched 22 TFLs and 14.5 sacks, as well as six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Broncos reportedly sign Missouri DE Johnny Walker Jr. as UDFA: Pros, cons
Continue reading...
Missouri football defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. has signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, per a report Saturday from Luca Evans of the Denver Post. The signing was announced shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Three Mizzou players were drafted this year, headlined by right tackle Armand Membou went to the New York Jets as the No. 7-overall pick. Membou will be joined by teammate Brady Cook in New Jersey, as the Mizzou QB reportedly was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Jets.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III went in the second round to the Chicago Bears, and left tackle Marcus Bryant went in the seventh round to the New England Patriots.
Here's what Walker brings to the Broncos, based on his career with Missouri:
What Missouri football DE Johnny Walker brings to Denver Broncos as UDFA
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The Broncos may have landed one of the most underrated defensive ends in his class.
After joining the Tigers as an undersized edge rusher out of Tampa, Florida, in the Class of 2020, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher had to wait two seasons and develop physically before getting his turn in the starting lineup. In 2022, that chance arrived, and he partnered with former first-round draft pick and current Arizona Cardinal Darius Robinson as Mizzou’s primary edge rushers.
He led Mizzou in sacks in each of the past two seasons.
Walker was a surprise omission from the NFL Scouting Combine after another strong campaign in his final year of collegiate eligibility. At 6-3, 250, he has the size and strength to be a productive NFL defensive end.
Walker’s highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Mizzou
Walker’s strength is in pass-rushing looks. He has a long and athletic frame and an incredibly quick reaction speed to the snap, which let him frequently get into the backfield as a college player.
His main critique from league scouts appears to be that he isn’t varied enough in pass-rush moves, making him somewhat one-dimensional at the point of attack. That, of course, won’t fly in the pros.
But, if there’s any player for whom concerns ought to be taken with a grain of salt, it’s probably Walker.
Walker’s work ethic has been praised on numerous occasions by the Mizzou staff. He arrived on campus in Columbia lighter than 200 pounds and nowhere close to ready for SEC action. He graduated as a team captain and one of the most productive defensive players over the past couple years on back-to-back 10-win teams.
Walker’s stats with Missouri football
More: Here’s Johnny: How Missouri football DE Johnny Walker Jr. consistently got bigger, better
Walker produced 26 tackles for loss in 40 total appearances for Mizzou, including 18.5 sacks. In the past two seasons, he notched 22 TFLs and 14.5 sacks, as well as six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Broncos reportedly sign Missouri DE Johnny Walker Jr. as UDFA: Pros, cons
Continue reading...
