He didn't hear his name. Seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft went by, and Johnny Walker Jr., a guy who lived in SEC backfields for years, sat there watching other edge rushers—some with half his production—get the call. It was a snub. Honestly, it was more than that. It was a mistake.
When the Denver Broncos swooped in to sign the former Missouri Tiger as an undrafted free agent, they weren't just filling out a training camp roster. They were grabbing a guy with a 91.1 PFF grade and a chip on his shoulder the size of the Rocky Mountains. You’ve seen this story before, but Walker’s path has some weird, grit-heavy layers that make his "UDFA" tag feel like a massive clerical error.
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The Missouri Engine: More Than Just Stats
Basically, Johnny Walker was the heartbeat of a Mizzou defense that surprised everyone. He wasn't just some rotational guy; he was a 2024 team captain and a Second-Team All-SEC selection. You don't get those honors by accident in the toughest conference in college football.
His 2024 season was a masterclass in relentless pursuit. He led the Tigers with 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. But the stats don't tell the whole story. You have to look at the "how." Walker finished the year with the longest sack streak in the entire country, recording at least a half-sack in seven straight games. That's consistency you can't fake.
Then there was the Music City Bowl against Iowa. Eli Drinkwitz, Mizzou's head coach, was nearly in tears talking about him afterward. Walker played through a meniscus injury—four full quarters of it—when he could have easily sat out to protect his draft stock. "You just don't have that as much anymore," Drinkwitz said. That kind of "dog" in a player is exactly why Sean Payton and the Broncos staff took a flyer on him.
What Really Happened in the Draft?
So, why did a guy with 18.5 career sacks and a Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP trophy go undrafted? It’s the "tweener" curse. Scouts looked at his 6'3", 249-pound frame and got nervous. He’s a bit light for a traditional 4-3 defensive end and maybe a half-step slow for a pure speed-burning 3-4 outside linebacker.
He was also snubbed from the NFL Combine. No invite to Indy usually means a steep uphill climb. But if you actually watch the tape—like his multi-sack games against Alabama and Iowa—you see a guy who uses 33-inch arms to keep massive tackles off his chest. He isn't just fast; he’s technically sound.
- The "Pass-Rush Bag": He has a cross-chop, a dip-and-rip, and a mean long-arm.
- The Motor: He doesn't stop. Ever. If the initial move fails, he’s already working on the counter.
- Versatility: In Denver’s scheme, he’s listed as a linebacker, but he can put his hand in the dirt or stand up.
The Rocky Road in Denver
It hasn't been all sunshine and mountain air since he arrived in Colorado. In a heartbreaking twist, the Broncos had to place Walker on season-ending Injured Reserve (IR) on July 31, 2025, during training camp. It was a gut punch for a guy who was already fighting for every rep.
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But here’s the thing about the NFL in 2026: being on IR as a UDFA isn't the death sentence it used to be. It gave the Broncos a way to "stash" him. They essentially get a free year to keep him in the building, let him learn the playbook, and get his body right without having to risk another team picking him up off the waiver wire.
His contract is a three-year deal worth nearly $3 million. That’s a lot of faith to put in an undrafted guy. The Broncos clearly see him as a long-term piece of the puzzle next to guys like Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.
Why You Should Still Care
You've probably seen plenty of "training camp heroes" disappear, but Walker is different because of his floor. Even if he never becomes a 15-sack-a-year superstar, his ability to set the edge and his sheer violence at the point of attack make him a high-level rotational player.
The biggest misconception is that he's just a "speed guy." He’s not. He’s a leverage winner. He knows how to get under the pads of a 320-pound tackle and make their life miserable.
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Actionable Insights for Broncos Fans
If you're tracking Walker's progress, keep an eye on his weight. If he can jump from 249 to a lean 255-258 without losing that first-step explosion, he becomes a nightmare to block.
- Watch the 2026 Preseason: This will be his "real" rookie debut. Look for his hand usage; if he's winning with his hands early, he's ready.
- Monitor the OLB Depth Chart: Denver has talent, but they lack a "pure" technician in the backup spots. That's Walker's opening.
- Don't ignore the special teams: For a UDFA to stick, they have to tackle on kickoffs. Walker’s 103 career college tackles suggest he’s more than willing to do the dirty work.
Johnny Walker Jr. might have been overlooked in April, but in the thin air of Denver, he’s got everything he needs to prove the rest of the league wrong. The talent is there. The production is there. Now, it's just about the recovery.