Re: Round 7 - Pick #249, Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
Posted: 01 May 2022 12:47
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Rating: 84.88 (Long-term starter)
Pro Comparison: Donovan Smith
Strengths:
Young, athletic, battler with encouraging recovery ability and weaknesses that can be easily ironed out of his game. Balanced, powerful punches and doesn't automatically lose if he doesn't get first contact. Has some nastiness to his game. Above-average anchor, though it takes him a second to sit into it. Wasn't perfect vs. Ojabo and Hutchinson but had some impressive wins. Actively resets his hands during the rep so he's not put in a bad position. Methodical power in the run game, and his above-average athleticism shows there. Lower half is loose and, if he can learn to keep his feet moving as rapidly as his hands, he'd have elite recovery skill. The tenacity and overall athleticism are already there.
Weaknesses:
Has a tendency to open the gate a touch early which shallows the arc he creates to the QB. Some ugly losses on film. Recovery skill is great but does lose more often than what's considered normal for a top prospect.
Accolades:
Two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention
32 career starts at LT over three seasons
Penn State signed Walker from North Point High School in Maryland (where he was coached by former Florida and NFL OT Phil Trautwein) as a four-star recruit. He also had 11 sacks on defense as a senior but played as a reserve offensive lineman in four games before taking a redshirt in 2018. Walker stepped in to start all 13 games at left tackle the following year and then garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors the following two seasons playing on the blindside (nine starts in 2020, 10 in 2021, missing the end of the '21 season due to injury). -- by Chad Reuter
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 3
NFL Comparison
Dion Dawkins
Overview
Walker possesses enticing power and measurables but has issues that could be challenging to correct if he stays at tackle. Ohio State defenders were able to burn up his outside edge, which creates concern about his pass pro range, but it can be hard to beat his anchor with pure power. He has issues playing beyond his base, creating chronic over-extension that will be exploited by skilled NFL rush talent. He's capable as a run blocker and should keep getting better with more hand work. Walker projects as a right tackle on the next level but might move inside to guard if his range and balance in pass sets aren't up to par.
Strengths
Displayed ability for quick and vertical sets.
Stout core withstands a bull rush.
Fires hands through defender's pads.
Extends and presses rusher past the arc.
Controlled inside power step for firmer post.
Better hand placement will bolster drive blocking.
Power to shove and clear debris from the lane.
Able to hold his ground in base blocks versus power.
Adequate adjustments in space.
Weaknesses
Might not have enough range to play left tackle.
Base can get too wide in pass sets.
Weight sits on his outside foot in pass slides.
Reaches and leans rather than maintaining flat-back posture.
Opens door wide for a variety of inside counters.
Lacks twitch fitting into run block.
Hands need to be faster and more accurate.
Needs to improve positioning after contact.
Penn State’s offensive tackle Rasheed Walker is an experienced offensive lineman who has been a staple on the Nittany Lions’ blindside for the last three seasons. Walker came to Penn State as a highly-rated recruit and has certainly lived up to the billing. He is a wide-bodied offensive tackle who offers excellent length and athleticism.
As a pass blocker, Walker shows very good foot quickness to get depth in his pass sets and mirror edge defenders. He can change direction quickly and redirect to stunts and inside counters. Walker displays excellent anchor and is very good with his hands, showing very good hand strength and punch timing. There are times Walker oversets and leaves room inside for counters and Walker will lose balance at times playing too far over his feet. In the run game, Walker is much more of a wall-off-and-seal blocker than a road grader.
He doesn’t have top-end power at the point of attack and can get inverted by stronger and more physical defenders. He uses his wide body to cover up at the point and is athletic enough to reach the second level consistently, although he can improve his awareness in locating defenders at the second level. Overall, Walker is a solid offensive line prospect who offers length, athleticism, and fundamentals to develop into a starter at the next level.
Ideal Role: Developmental left tackle or starting right tackle,
Scheme Fit: Zone scheme with spread principles
FILM EVALUATION
Written by Brentley Weissman
Games watched: Indiana (2021), Iowa (2021), Wisconsin (2021), Ohio State (2020)
Best Game Studied: Iowa (2021)
Worst Game Studied: Wisconsin (2021)
Balance: Walker displays good balance overall and is in control in both phases of the game. In the run game, Walker is able to square defenders up and sustain blocks with good hand positioning and leverage. In the pass game, there are instances where he overextends, thus resulting in him falling forward and losing his ability to stay attached through the rep.
Pass Sets: Walker has good lateral ability and foot quickness to get depth on his pass sets. He is quick out of his stance and is nimble on his feet to mirror and redirect. There are times where he overextends and leaves the inside vulnerable, which leads to sacks.
Competitive Toughness: This is an area in which I wish I saw a bit more from Walker. I think he plays hard and I don’t question him from a football character standpoint, I just wish he played with a little more nasty to him. I’d like to see him play with a more physical mindset and look to embarrass his opponent and impose his will against defenders.
Lateral Mobility: Walker is a smooth and nimble athlete who moves very well laterally. He is able to mirror in pass protection, showing very good foot coordination. He moves well to the second level and gets upfield in a hurry on sweeps and outside zone runs.
Length: See Above.
Football IQ: An experienced player who has been a three-year starter in the Big Ten, Walker demonstrates excellent football IQ. He understands how to handle hand counters and secondary rush moves and his timing and placement with his hands are excellent. He takes good angles to the second level and has excellent timing peeling off of double teams to handle stunts and games.
Hand Technique: See Above.
Anchor Ability: See Above.
Power at the POA: For a big man with length and mass in his lower half, you wish you saw more power at the point of attack, especially in the run game. Walker is more of a wall off/cover player at the point of attack in the run game. He rarely generates true knock back movement unless he is working a down block on a double team.
Versatility: Walker has started three straight years at left tackle for the Nittany Lions. Given his wide body and ability to play with good leverage, I could see him being a successful interior player but he has yet to show that over his three-year college career.
SCOUT GRADES
TDN Consensus: 73.40/100 (Fourth Round Value)
Crabbs Grade: 72.50/100
Marino Grade: 73.00/100
Harris Grade: 71.00/100
Sanchez Grade: 72.50/100
Weissman Grade: 78.00/100
