The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason plan has left fans wanting more, but they may get some excitement with a new wide receiver. Dallas needs a new WR, whether it’s to immediately replace Michael Gallup or to compete for the job.
For FOX Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano, the solution could be North Carolina prospect Devontez Walker. Vacchiano predicts that the Cowboys will pick the 22-year-old receiver in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.
“The Cowboys Vacchiano seems hopeful that Jalen Tolbert will become a reliable third receiver, but they should still get him some competition… The 6-1, 193-pound Walker is a super fast, deep threat who ran an impressive 4.36 at the combine — the third fastest among this year’s receivers, which was a historically fast group,” Vacchiano wrote on March 21.
That that kind of speed is always exciting, even for a prospect that needs a bit of polish. Walker wouldn’t be the complete package right away. But he could still make big plays early on and develop into something even better.
Devontez Walker Moves to North Carolina
Walker originally started his college career at Kent State, where he had a standout 2022. According to Sports Reference, Walker caught 58 passes for 921 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns in his sophomore season.
Seeking to improve his NFL chances, Walker returned to North Carolina and transferred to UNC. While he wasn’t as productive or prominent with the Tar Heels, he was a big-play weapon for QB Drake Maye.
Walker averaged 17 yards per reception, totaling 699 yards and 7 touchdowns. Several of his touchdowns looked like the video below: Walker’s blazing speed beats a corner on a deep route.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein describes Walker as an “all-day vertical target,” but does acknowledge that he is limited in his skillset.
“When he’s allowed to maintain play speed and keep his feet moving, he’s fine,” Zierlein wrote. “When he’s asked to get in and out of breaks or make tighter turns, his lack of short-area footwork and route acumen make him substantially easier to cover. Walker showed drastic improvement making the combat catch, but the jury is still out on whether he’s physical enough to do it as a pro.”
Cowboys Could Trade for Veteran WR
Besides drafting a new pass-catcher, another option for Dallas would be to trade for one. As for possible names, Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks is one option.
Blogging the Boys’ David Howman recently explored this idea. Mentioning that the Cowboys will want to “hedge their bets” on Jalen Tolbert with another receiver, they mention Burks. While Burks hasn’t lived up to his first-round pick status, he is only entering his third NFL season.
Burks actually has a somewhat similar makeup to Walker, although with some key differences. Walker is extremely fast, whereas Burks is stronger and excels in catching deep shots.
