Buffalo Bills' DT named to NFL analyst's All-Rookie team

The Bills' first-year defensive lineman has been a godsend for a team struggling with various injuries up front defensively.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker (96) during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Deone Walker has helped save the Buffalo Bills’ depleted defensive line this season.

In his first professional season, Walker has been thrust into a prominent role in the trenches, playing an increasing number of snaps as the season has progressed, primarily due to the loss of several players due to injury. And he has performed exceptionally well, catching the eye of many analysts around the NFL’s media sphere.

RELATED: Jordan Phillips believes Bills teammate should be NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker (96) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler recently released his mid-season NFL All-Rookie team, naming Deone Walker as the honoree at the defensive tackle position.

Brugler writes, “Eight games into his NFL career, Walker has looked like a steal. Not only has he proved himself as a viable starter, but he is commanding double teams and helping create congestion on the line of scrimmage.”

That assessment rings true for anyone who has watched the fourth-round pick play this season. Through eight games, Walker has started seven of them, recording 18 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a sack, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery. The 6-foot-7, 331-pound behemoth has been the highlight of the Bills’ 2025 rookie class.

MORE: Two key players ruled OUT for Buffalo Bills in Week 10 vs. Dolphins

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker (96) looks on after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

“Time will tell if he can continue playing at this level,” Brugler continues. “But he has changed the narrative around him.”

Walker fell to the fourth round this past April largely due to a back injury, which limited his production during his final collegiate season. But through a torrid start to his NFL career, Walker has shown no signs of being slowed by his pre-draft ailment. Instead, he has been one of the centerpieces of an impressive transition made by a much-improved Bills' defensive trench unit this season.

And people are starting to take notice. 

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Brandon Beane provides weak response to Buffalo Bills' inactivity at NFL trade deadline

• Reasons why Buffalo Bills will regret standing pat at NFL trade deadline

• Three WRs Bills should have traded for before NFL trade deadline

• Buffalo Bills sign potential Michael Hoecht replacement, two others after trade deadline