Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

The New Orleans Saints have eight remaining players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 10, plus three restricted free agents. Here’s a breakdown on RFA defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker:

Age: Turns 25 in March
Experience: Heading into 4th season
Height: 6-3
Weight: 294

Outlook: There’s a strong chance the Saints will want Walker back -- though it’s possible they’ll seek a more salary-cap friendly deal than the RFA tender (which will cost at least $1.5 million with no draft-pick compensation).

Walker has been a nice, solid backup for the Saints, with his role expanding each year since he joined them as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa in 2012. He’s decent as both a pass-rusher and run defender and versatile enough to play both 3-4 end and nose tackle. He played in all 16 games for the first time last season, averaging 18 snaps per game, and finished with career highs of 19 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Walker had a sneaky-good grade last year according to Pro Football Focus (ranking 21st among 81 eligible defensive tackles). He popped up on my film studies with a handful of big plays throughout the year, including a sack-fumble against San Francisco, helping to force Junior Galette’s sack-fumble at Carolina and helping to set the tone early with a good pass rush push at Pittsburgh.

I wouldn't project a major breakthrough or a full-time starting gig in Walker’s near future. He’s been more decent than dynamic, and the Saints’ pass rush went quiet far too often last year even when he was on the field. However, Walker is still a young player who has shown improvement each year so far -- a good trajectory to be on.

Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

I'd keep Walker in place of Bunkley

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Reliable but unimpressive. We need better.

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

best bang for the buck baby.

last year he was tops in the middle. he was the only bull rusher we had. not like he much to be measured against. keep him. solid number 3 for now

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Nah! He is exactly the type of player we need in the bottom half o fthe roster.

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Great depth... Glenn Foster looked really good too his rookie season. If we can just keep these two healthy then that will help our D-Line so much.

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Yep. Great depth. Still need the 2013 Jordan/Hicks combo and a bad azz OLB

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Here's one that'll make some people shake their heads:

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Shaking my head...

Just with the moves made so far including coaching staff I give the offseason an F. Long way to go but not signing Walker is a poor move, reminds me of Tom Johnson last year.

As long as we have Vitt and Bill Johnson we're good tho...

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

I really like Walker. Limited playing time and he always looked good. Great power and solid speed. Surprised he didn't play more.

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Mike Triplett ‏@MikeTriplett
#Saints not planning to tender RFA Tyrunn Walker, per league source, but have still shown interest in bringing him back at lower rate

I think a RFA tender would have been pretty expensive. I think we sign him at fair market value.

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Think the RFA was 1.4ml and no compensation. If a teams offers over that he has gone anyway this way we hope to get him cheap and gives the front office time to search for replacement/bring him back cheap. He's promising but why not see who is cut first

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

I think his market value is beyond what the Saints will pay. The RFA tag would have been the cheaper option. Walker has done enough to warrant a team making him a starter.

Re: Restricted free agent spotlight: DL Tyrunn Walker
 

Don't think so. Nothing wrong with trying to work out a long term contract at an affordable price.

He's shown flashes but hasn't really done enough to say he's starter quality yet. As of now he's just a very good rotational DE/DT. I do like him a lot and hope we keep him.