SI (Grade - B: Tavon Wilson, Glover Quin and Miles Killebrew all hit free agency in 2020. Walker can develop behind them for now, with the understanding that he could contribute in select packages early on. Matt Patricia did a lot with safety-heavy groupings in New England. You get more schematic flexibility that way. Scouting Report: He’s undersized, but Walker is a fluid mover who can match up with tight ends and some slot receivers. He played close to the line of scrimmage in college and fills hard against the run, though play strength will be an issue at the NFL level. He’ll have to prove he can adjust to a free-safety role at the next level, otherwise he’s looking at a sub-package role.): https://www.si.com/draft/nfl/2018/draft-tracker?round=3
CBS (Grade - B: Matt Patricia likes back-end players with versatility and this kid has it. That's a good pick. Draft Prospect Outlook: Multi-dimensional safety with plus range. Possesses the suddenness, speed, and strength to be a consistent tackler against the run. Flashes cornerback-like mirroring skills. High motor to chase from the backside. Requisite ball skills. Underrated prospect primed to outplay his draft position.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/draft-tracker/
PFW (82. Lions — Louisiana-Lafayette S Tracy Walker — Grade: C Good size, small hands but some playmaking skill. Walker has started since early in his career in college but hasn’t developed quite the way scouts had hoped. In fact, a few teams talked about using him as a corner with his size — especially his long arms. His instincts for safety might just be average, but his athleticism is solid. —EE): http://www.profootballweekly.com/lists/2018/04/27/09173036/index.xml?page=49
Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Birkett - Walker: The Lions were thrilled to get Walker, and that means something. They needed long-term help at the safety position and Walker can contribute on special teams now while he develops. I haven’t seen Walker play, so I can’t speak to his ability. But I thought the Lions’ bigger need was on the defensive line (and had they addressed it here, they might have saved themselves a pick next year). There’s no telling if Walker would have been there had the Lions flopped their third- and fourth-round selections, but players who went after Walker included Ronnie Harrison, Harrison Phillips and Maurice Hurst. C-plus): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/
Lions get C-plus for passing on DL, taking Walker: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/27/detroit-lionis-tracy-walker/560603002/
Draftwire (82. Detroit Lions | Tracy Walker | DB | LA Lafayette | D): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/04/28/2018-nfl-draft-grading-every-pick-from-day-2/2/
Walterfootball (Detroit Lions: Tracy Walker, S, Louisiana-Lafayete THE GHOST OF MILLEN STRIKES AGAIN Grade - Ladies and gentlemen, our first Millen pick of the second day of the draft! Tracy Walker is a late-round prospect with good instincts, but he seems more like a special-teams player. The Lions almost certainly could have gotten Walker in the fourth or even fifth rounds.): http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades3.php
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NFL Chad Reuter (Day 1 Grade - A, Day 2 Grade - C, Overall Grade - B+: The skinny: Detroit got stronger in the middle by picking Ragnow, who could play guard for now, or move to center if needed. Either way, he'll move the line of scrimmage. Matthew Stafford feels better already. The Lions were so interested in Johnson that they gave up a fourth-round pick to move up eight spots. That's marginal value, though I expect Johnson will be a good back. Walker was picked two rounds earlier than expected, but he has the skills to become a starter in the league.): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000929730/article/2018-nfl-draft-quicksnap-grades-for-every-team-through-day-2
Analysis:
Draft wire (82. Detroit Lions | Tracy Walker | DB | LA Lafayette: The Lions grab a major sleeper in Walker here. Walker will likely play free safety at the next level. He’s a smooth mover in coverage and posted solid ball production at Louisiana.): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/04/26/2018-nfl-draft-live-tracker-instant-analysis-for-every-pick/
Sporting News (The Lions reach a little for a free safety with size, but former Pro Bowler Glover Quinn is 32, and Walker shares many of the same traits as an active, rangy cover man.): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2018/draft-results/round/3
USA Today (82. Lions — Tracy Walker, S, Louisiana: New Detroit coach Matt Patricia has become accustomed to operating with a deep, diverse group of safeties. Walker is a new option alongside Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson.): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/04/27/nfl-draft-live-tracker-2018-pick-analysis-round-2-3/559016002/
Detroit News (18 (82). Detroit: Tracy Walker, DB, Louisiana Lafayette: The Lions went with to the defensive side of the ball for the first time in this draft, but it's not along the defensive line, and that's going to make some people unhappy. Walker is 6'1", 206 pounds and is a very good tackler that can make a lot of plays on the football. He's likely to play safety for the Lions, though it's hard to see how he starts in 2018. Upon making the pick, Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia were celebrating with enthusiasm in the Lions' draft room. Meanwhile, Michigan defensive tackle Mo Hurst is still on the board thanks to a heart issue that it appears a lot of team doctors won't sign off on, despite the fact that many other physicians have cleared him to play. A lot of chatter around town zeroed in on the Lions taking Hurst in the second round, but it's become apparent that he's probably not even on their draft board because getting him in the third round could have been the steal of the draft.): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/04/27/lives-updates-lions-fans-set-day-2-nfl-draft/34325841/
ESPN: http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/33713/detroit-lions-2018-draft-analysis-for-every-selection
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