Kentucky football has displayed one of the country’s best defenses this season, and is fresh off a win over the Ole Miss Rebels. In the win, the Wildcats held Ole Miss to their lowest output of the season in nearly every offensive category.
Defensive lineman Deone Walker has been one of the leaders of the defense for a few years now, and has played his way into being a likely early NFL draft pick in 2025.
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Pro Football Focus has released a new version of their 2025 NFL mock draft, and Walker is a first round selection. They have him going 16th overall to the Green Bay Packers. Here’s what Trevor Sikkema had to say about the selection:
Walker hasn’t been the dominant force many expected in his junior season, posting a 72.3 overall grade. However, that’s still a solid mark, and his rare 6-foot-6, 345-pound frame gives him a higher ceiling than we’ve seen so far. The Packers’ defense looks different under coordinator Jeff Hafley, but Walker is an ideal fit for the type of interior defensive lineman they’ve favored in the past.
Walker is gigantic, but moves like a smaller player. He rushes the passer well for a guy his size. There’s plenty of season left, and Big Blue Nation will see if he can push his stock even higher.