The Buffalo Bills may have gotten more than they bargained for in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker fell to the 109th overall pick — a surprising slide for a player many expected to go on Day 2. or even in the first round before a lackluster Junior season and NFL combine.
But ask Kentucky associate head coach Vince Marrow, and he’ll tell you it’s not a slide — it’s a setup.
“But I really do believe he has a chance to be the steal of the draft,” Marrow said. “I really believe that. It might be like when Chris Jones went from Mississippi State — he was supposed to be a first rounder. He went late second, and you see what he’s been doing. I think Deone has a chance to do that.”
🏈 Chris Jones: From overlooked to dominant
Chris Jones slipped to the 37th overall pick in 2016 despite an elite frame and flashes of dominance at Mississippi State. Many questioned his consistency.
Nine years later? No one questions anything.
3× Super Bowl Champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
6× Pro Bowler (2019–2024)
3× First-Team All-Pro (2022–2024)
3× Second-Team All-Pro (2018, 2020, 2021)
At Mississippi State, Jones compiled 102 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in three seasons. He never posted gaudy single-season stats, but his tape and tools always hinted at greatness.
💪 Deone Walker’s resume Is just as strong
Deone Walker leaves Kentucky with 132 career tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks over three seasons — more production than Jones had in college. And he did it facing weekly double-teams and anchoring the middle of an SEC defense.
Year Solo Ast TFL Sacks
2022 12 28 5 1.0
2023 28 27 13 7.5
2024 13 24 5 1.5
While Jones was drafted on potential, Walker comes in as a proven producer with NFL size (6’6”, 348 pounds), rare power, and surprising agility.
🔥 A motivated monster in Buffalo
Falling to Day 3 could be the fuel Walker needs.
Buffalo has quietly built one of the NFL’s best defensive lines, and Walker now joins a front loaded with talent — a perfect scenario where he can develop without immediate pressure, yet still contribute early in rotational snaps.
Marrow believes the ceiling is sky-high:
“He has a chance to be the steal of the draft.”
🧠 Smart money Is on Walker
NFL history is filled with examples of dominant defensive tackles who slipped on draft day: Geno Atkins, Chris Jones, even Aaron Donald to an extent who slid down to number 13 because of size concerns. How'd that work out for the Rams?
Deone Walker may be the next in line — overlooked in the moment, but undeniable in the long run.
With the right development, he has all the tools to become a Pro Bowl-caliber force in the NFL. And if he does? Buffalo won’t just have a steal — they’ll have a superstar.