What do you guys know about Delanie Walker of the 49ers? (1 Viewer)

[azcards33]

I've been listening to the 49ers pregame show and this kids name keeps coming up.

They keep saying that this guy is definately someone who is a 'Nolan-type' and has big-time playmaking ability. The Niners were impressed with his performance last week, both receiving and on returning kicks

also praised Nolan/Scot McCloughan for going out and finding players like this from small schools.

Nolan Recaps the Draft

On possible starters from the second day of the draft

"Depends on what you call a starter. For example Michael Robinson has an opportunity to start. I'm really anxious to see what he does. I know he has all the physical capabilities to be a starter as a third-down back. And that would be a starting role. He's just like your kicker. He isn't in all the time but he starts. You got a third-down back, that would be that guy. Your third wide receiver can be a starting player. To be honest with you, (sixth-round pick) Delanie Walker has a chance to be that guy. That could very well be (third-round pick) Brandon Williams, but if it is Delanie Walker, so be it. He comes from a small school and dominated at that level and that's huge. I think (fifth-round pick) Parys Haralson has a chance to start with the position he plays. We'll put Parys on the left and (first-pick) Manny Lawson on the right."

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Walker is a hulking small school WR that drew some comparisons to Shannon Sharpe.

Walker was incredible in the first game, albeit against the scrubs of the Bears. He had a great return where he levelled a would be tackler with a stiff arm, He showed great hands, and very good speed for a big guy. I saw him mainly lining up as a TE/H-back, so seeing Nolan mention him as a WR is very interesting...

He debuted at 99 on the rookie 100 this week.

 

[azcards33]

Walker is a hulking small school WR that drew some comparisons to Shannon Sharpe.Walker was incredible in the first game, albeit against the scrubs of the Bears. He had a great return where he levelled a would be tackler with a stiff arm, He showed great hands, and very good speed for a big guy. I saw him mainly lining up as a TE/H-back, so seeing Nolan mention him as a WR is very interesting...He debuted at 99 on the rookie 100 this week.

I beleive he was actually converted to a TE/RB hybrid, that's obviously an old article

 

[azcards33]

Victory produced unexpected heroes

Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, August 12, 2006

The fans who half-filled Candlestick for the 49ers' exhibition season opener over the Bears were probably most interested in top-round rookies Vernon Davis and Manny Lawson.

But another rookie, wide receiver/tight end Delanie Walker, grabbed five passes and all the glory. Linebacker Lawson finished with two tackles; tight end Davis didn't have a pass thrown his way.

Meanwhile, the obscure 228-pound Walker, who got a fraction of the signing-bonus money devoted to Lawson and Davis, had 54 yards receiving, 38 yards on a kickoff return and 16 yards on an end around.

When Walker found a well-deserved seat after a busy night in the team's postgame locker room, owner John York stepped forward to shake Walker's hand.

"Good game," York said.

"Thank you very much, sir," Walker responded.

Walker mainly played the 49ers' new "F-back" role, where he lines up as a running back, slot receiver or tight end.

He helped put the game away with a 14-yard catch and a 16-yard run on consecutive plays during the 49ers' final touchdown drive.

"The coaches told me I would be getting a lot of plays," said Walker, who still seemed excited moments after the 49ers' 28-14 win. "I was just blessed to get the opportunity."

Granted, he didn't do it against the Bears first-team defense, but he did make a strong bid for regular-season playing time.

A wide receiver at Central Missouri State, Walker was listed at more than 240 pounds at the draft in April, which caused most teams to avoid him. The 49ers envisioned him as a tight end or an F-back. While he still needs to learn how to lead block and block within the line of scrimmage, he showed he was a playmaker on Friday.

His five receptions tied wide receiver Antonio Bryant for the team lead.

Also, his vicious straight arm on the 38-yard kickoff return was the game's signature play. Walker decked lanky wide receiver Craig Bragg at the end of the return.

"I like the stiff arm," Walker said smiling.

Another player who made an impression was fourth-round pick Michael Robinson, who's vying for the third-down running back role with veteran Terry Jackson. Robinson showed bull-like strength, piling across the goal line for a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

Robinson also showed the same ability to break tackles during the game as he has in training camp.

"I was nervous at first," Robinson admitted about playing in his first NFL game. "I got put on my butt on the first kickoff (of the game). I needed that."

Robinson, who played mostly quarterback at Penn State, seems to have made a smooth transition to running back. Even though he gained only 31 yards on 11 carries, he ran over tacklers, which is what caught the attention of 49ers' scouts.

Both rookies seemed satisfied with their performances, particularly Walker, who had 10 family members from Southern California at the game.

"They told me they loved me, and they were proud of me," Walker said. "That was all I needed to hear."