Walker looks forward to working alongside Ngata on Lions' D-line
The newest Detroit Lion plans to learn everything he can from the second-newest Lion.
Tyrunn Walker, 24, who signed a one-year deal as a free agent last Friday, can't wait to meet the man he wants to be his new mentor, Haloti Ngata, 31, who was acquired three days earlier in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.
Both defensive tackles were added to try to offset the departures last week of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, who left Detroit as unrestricted free agents -- Suh to the Miami Dolphins, Fairley to the St. Louis Rams.
"I don't know Ngata personally," Walker said. "I've watched him. I read about Ngata. He's a great player. He's a Hall of Famer in this league. He demands a lot of attention.
"Playing next to some guy like that will be perfect. I'm going to try to pick his brain and get to know what he knows. Just be a student of the game.
"Haloti Ngata is going to be very, very important to my game."
Ngata is a former first-round draft pick, a nine-year veteran in the NFL, a five-time All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion.
Walker went undrafted coming out of Tulsa in 2012 and only last season emerged with the New Orleans Saints while filling a part-time role on their defensive line.
Assuming Walker takes over as a starter next to Ngata, they will have the difficult job of trying to replace Suh and Fairley, both of whom were first-round draft picks by the Lions.
Walker admitted he's admired Detroit's D-line from afar, but he doesn't consider this a burden.
"No pressure at all," Walker said. "Suh and Fairley, they're great at what they do. I'm just coming in to try to help the team win. I'm not trying to compare or trying to compete (with Suh and Fairley). What they did for Detroit was outstanding. I'm just trying to come in there and create an impact and just do what they ask me to do."
Walker said he took a visit to New England last week before coming to Detroit. He had other visits lined up but instead opted to accept the Lions' offer of $1.75 million for 2015.
He indicated the Patriots offered him a multi-year contract, presumably for far less money per year than he got from Detroit.
"I'm coming off of being a rotational guy," he said. "I really don't have too much contract power anyway."
Walker is excited about the aggressive, attacking style the Lions like to play with their defensive front. It's one of the biggest factors that led him here.
"They give their D-line the opportunity to go out and make plays," he said. "That's a D-lineman's dream. It was a perfect fit for me."
Walker was a Saints' fan growing up in New Iberia, La., but his home team is in the middle of a major roster makeover and chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent, opening the door for him to sign anywhere
Walker showed his versatility by being the back-up at multiple positions on the Saints' defensive line last season.
He's been an improving player over his three years in the league. He didn't play in any games as a rookie in 2012, made seven appearances in 2013 and then was active for every game last season.
Walker made 2 1/2 sacks while playing 306 defensive snaps (less than 20 per game) in 2015.
He credits his development to the approach he's taken to try to stay in the league.
"I put in extra hours and extra work," Walker said. "That's what I plan to do in Detroit. I just try to listen, especially to the veteran guys."
Walker's projected role isn't totally clear yet. Based on the contract, many are assuming he was signed to be a starter.
However, Caraun Reid, a fifth-round draft pick last year, is also expected to compete for that job.
Either way, Walker is more than ready to take on a bigger workload than he had in New Orleans.
"I can handle whatever they want to put on my plate," he said. "I'm going to prepare as if I'm going to play 90 plays a game."
EXTRA POINT
--- Georgia running back Todd Gurley, coming off a season-ending knee injury, made a pre-draft visit Monday to the Lions' headquarters in Allen Park., Mich.
The Lions, who released running back Reggie Bush this offseason, have the 23rd pick overall.
