Delanie Walker

Hubert Delanie Walker[1][2] (born August 12, 1984) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Central Missouri.

Delanie Walker
Walker with the Tennessee Titans in 2018
Free agent
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1984-08-12) August 12, 1984
Pomona, California
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:Pomona (Pomona, California)
College:Central Missouri
NFL Draft:2006 / Round: 6 / Pick: 175
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:504
Receiving yards:5,888
Receiving touchdowns:36
Rushing yards:89
Rushing touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

After seven seasons with the 49ers, he then played another seven seasons for the Tennessee Titans, with whom he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He was released from the Titans after the 2019 season after missing 25 regular season games over the last two seasons due to injuries.

Early life

Walker attended and played high school football at Pomona High School.[3] He was a first-team All-Region selection by The Times, adding All-Division and All-San Gabriel Valley honors as a senior under the direction of head coach John Capraro. He was twice chosen Miramonte League Offensive Player of the Year and was selected 2001 Pomona Red Devil of the Year. He played in the East/West All Star game and also excelled in track & field, winning the Division III 100-meters title after also finishing first in the 2002 Miramonte League Meet.

After high school, Walker originally committed to UTEP, but decided to attend Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California to improve his academics.[4]

College career

Walker first enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College. In 2003, he was ranked seventh on JCFootball.com's "Top 101 Players" list. Walker finished his junior college career with 86 catches for 1,312 yards and 13 touchdowns. He then transferred to the University of Central Missouri. While at Central Missouri, he set or equaled several receiving records. In two seasons at Central Missouri, Walker caught 113 passes for 1,347 yards and 10 touchdowns. In addition, he also had 35 career kickoff returns for 965 yards and three touchdowns. His three kickoff returns for touchdowns are tied for the Central Missouri school record. In college, Walker majored in video production, with a minor in criminal justice at Central Missouri. On February 14, 2015, Walker was inducted into the Central Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame.[5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 1 14 in
(1.86 m)
240 lb
(109 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
10 in
(0.25 m)
4.54 s1.61 s2.67 s4.60 s7.23 s36 12 in
(0.93 m)
10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day[6]

2006 season: Rookie year

Walker was drafted by San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round with the 175th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.[7] In his rookie season, he recorded two receptions for 30 yards and had a 25-yard kickoff return.[8]

2007 season

In Week 13, Walker caught his first NFL touchdown from Trent Dilfer in a 31-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers,.[9] In the 2007 season, he recorded 21 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown.[10]

2008 season

Walker in 2008

On June 22, 2008, the 49ers signed Walker to a three-year, $6 million extension through 2012. The deal included a $1.8 million signing bonus. He also returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown in Week 4 of the 2008 preseason.[11] In 2008, Walker recorded 10 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown.[12]

2009 season

Walker in 2009

In 2009, Walker recorded 21 receptions for 233 yards as the 49ers finished with an 8–8 record.[13][14]

2010 season

In 2010, Walker recorded 29 receptions for 331 yards as the 49ers finished with a 6–10 record.[15][16]

2011 season

In 2011, Jim Harbaugh became head coach of the 49ers and Greg Roman became the offensive coordinator for the team. They praised Walker's skill set and used him a number of different ways in the West Coast Offense, including different receiver spots, backup fullback, and even as an alternative kickoff returner and gunner on special teams,[17] attributes that earned him the nickname of "The Swiss Army Knife" within the team. In the 2011 season, Walker recorded 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns as the 49ers finished with a 13–3 record.[18][19] In the postseason, Walker caught two passes for 36 yards before the 49ers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

2012 season

In 2012, Walker recorded 21 receptions for 344 yards and three touchdowns as the 49ers finished with an 11–4–1 record.[20][21] At the end of the 2012 season, Walker and 49ers reached Super Bowl XLVII. In the game, he had 3 receptions for 48 yards, but the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 34–31.[22] Overall, Walker finished the postseason with five catches for 85 yards.

2013 season

Walker signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 12, 2013[23] to a four-year $17.5 million contract with $8.6 million guaranteed.[24] In Week 11 of the 2013 season, against the Indianapolis Colts, Walker recorded 10 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.[25] In the 2013 season, Walker had 60 receptions for 571 yards and 6 touchdowns.[26]

2014 season

In Week 2 of the 2014 season, against the Dallas Cowboys, Walker had a career day with 10 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown.[27] In Week 12, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded five receptions for a career-high 155 yards.[28] In the 2014 season, Walker had 63 receptions for 890 yards and 4 touchdowns.

2015 season: First Pro Bowl season

Walker had a career year in 2015, shattering all Titans records for a tight end, including 1,088 yards receiving.[29] He had previously broken the Titans' tight end receiving yards record in the 2014 season with 890 yards. Walker led all NFL tight ends with 94 receptions and became only the ninth tight end to ever record 90+ catches in a single season. He was later named to his first career Pro Bowl. In Week 9, against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded his first career multi-touchdown game with seven receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns.[30] In Week 11, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he recorded 109 receiving yards for his third career game with at least 100 yards.[31] In Week 15, toward the end of a lopsided loss to the New England Patriots, Walker had a touchdown that would come off of a highlight-reel play. He caught a pass from quarterback Zach Mettenberger, broke two tackles, hurdled a man and stiff-armed another, all while racing down the sideline to the end zone to complete a 57-yard score. Walker recorded two catches, 64 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 33–16 defeat.[32] Walker was ranked 82nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[33]

2016 season: Second Pro Bowl season

On May 6, 2016, Walker signed a two-year contract extension worth $14.7 million with $8.2 million in guarantees.[34]

During Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers, Walker had nine receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.[35] In the 2016 season, Walker recorded 65 receptions for 800 yards and seven touchdowns.[36] Walker was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl on December 20, 2016.[37] He was also ranked 75th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[38]

2017 season: Third Pro Bowl season

On September 17, 2017, Walker recorded his first rushing touchdown, a one-yard rush in the third quarter of a 37–16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In addition, he had four receptions for 61 yards.[39] In the 2017 season, Walker recorded 74 receptions for 807 yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. The Titans finished with a 9-7 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team.[40][41] During the Wild Card Round against the Kansas City Chiefs, Walker was the leading receiver, catching six passes for 74 yards.[42] In the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, he caught three passes for 49 yards including a 36 yard catch and run during the first quarter in the 35–14 loss.[43] On January 16, 2018, Walker was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl to replace an injured Travis Kelce.[44] Walker was named the 2018 Pro Bowl offensive MVP after catching the game-winning touchdown, in addition to another touchdown he caught earlier in the game.[45] He was also ranked 72nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[46]

2018 season

On July 27, 2018, Walker signed a two-year contract extension with the Titans worth $17 million with $12.6 million in guarantees.[47]

In the season-opener against the Miami Dolphins, Walker had four catches for 52 yards before suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. It was later revealed that he suffered a dislocated ankle and an associated fracture and would miss the rest of the season.[48] He was placed on injured reserve on September 10, 2018.[49] Without Walker, the Titans finished 9–7 for the third consecutive year and missed out on the playoffs.

2019 season

Walker in 2019

Walker returned from his injury in time for the Titans' season opener against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, he recorded five receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns as the Titans won on the road by a score of 43-13.[50] During a Week 4 24-10 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons, he reached 500 career receptions.[51] On November 27, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve after dealing with an ankle injury for most of the season.[52] Without Walker, the Titans finished 9–7 for the fourth consecutive year and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

On March 13, 2020, Walker was released by the Titans after seven seasons.[53]

On December 9, 2020, Walker was on the Pat McAfee show and stated that he was staying in shape and could probably play this year but with all the COVID-19 issues and with Dez Bryant being removed from warm-ups after testing positive and no one else was exposed despite photos of him with other players[54] he didn't want to play in 2020.[55]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2006SF 7123015.029000
2007SF 1610211748.326100
2008SF 1521015515.55312-13-6.5-3020
2009SF 1682123311.139033411.316022
2010SF 1482933111.43803186.010011
2011SF 1571919810.429T3351.714000
2012SF 1642134416.445311
2013TEN 1511605719.533610
2014TEN 15146389014.168420
2015TEN 1510941,08811.661T613636.036000
2016TEN 15106580012.34772115.58010
2017TEN 16117480710.94232-2-1.01T122
2018TEN 1145213.016000
2019TEN 742121510.229210
Career1831015045,88811.7683616895.6361136

Postseason

Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2011SF 1123618.029010
2012SF 3158517.028000
2017TEN 22912313.736000
2019TEN 00Did not play due to injury
Career641624415.3360000.00010

Titans franchise records

  • Most receiving touchdowns by a tight end: 28
  • Most receptions in a season by a tight end: 94
  • Most receiving yards in a season by a tight end: 1,088

Personal life

In 2013, Walker's aunt and uncle were killed by a drunk driver five hours after Walker played in Super Bowl XLVII. The tragedy motivated him to speak out against drunk driving, and support laws requiring the installation of an ignition interlock device for first-time DUI offenders.[56] Walker has three kids, Delanie Jr., Erra Paris, and Petra.[57]

References

  1. "Delanie Walker Pro-Football-Reference Profile". rbref.com.
  2. "Delanie Walker — Don't call him Hubert".
  3. "Titans' Delanie Walker collects records on, off field". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  4. "Former Mountie Delanie Walker To Play In Superbowl XLVII". Mt. San Antonio College. January 23, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  5. "Central Missouri Athletics". www.ucmathletics.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  6. http://www.draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=55483&draftyear=2006&genpos=wr
  7. "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  8. "Delanie Walker 2006 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  9. "San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers - December 2nd, 2007". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  10. "Delanie Walker 2007 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  11. "49ers get picked off in preseason finale". East Bay Times. August 29, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  12. "Delanie Walker 2008 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  13. "Delanie Walker 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  14. "2009 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players". Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  15. "Delanie Walker 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  16. "2010 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  17. Delanie Walker Wears Many Hats on YouTube
  18. "Delanie Walker 2011 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  19. "2011 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  20. "Delanie Walker 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  21. "2012 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  22. "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  23. Delanie Walker agrees with Titans
  24. "Delanie Walker signed by Titans, according to report". sbnation.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  25. "Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans - November 14th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  26. "Delanie Walker 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  27. "Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans - September 14th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  28. "Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles - November 23rd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  29. "Delanie Walker 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  30. "Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints - November 8th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  31. "Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - November 19th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  32. "Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots - December 20th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  33. NFL Top 100 Players of 2016 - No. 82 Delanie Walker
  34. Wesseling, Chris. "Delanie Walker, Titans strike two-year extension". NFL.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  35. "Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans - November 13th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  36. "Delanie Walker 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  37. "NFL announces 2017 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 20, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  38. "'Top 100 Players of 2017': No. 75 Delanie Walker". NFL.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  39. "Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  40. "2017 NFL Regular Season Standings – National Football League". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  41. "Titans Beat Jaguars, Punch Ticket to Playoffs". Titans Online. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  42. "Wild Card – Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs – January 6th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  43. "Divisional Round – Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots – January 13th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  44. "Titans' Delanie Walker replaces Travis Kelce at Pro Bowl". foxsports.com. Associated Press. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  45. "Pro Bowl MVP Honor "Special" for Titans TE Delanie Walker". TitansOnline.com.
  46. "'Top 100 Players of 2018': Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker". NFL.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  47. Bergman, Jeremy (July 27, 2018). "Delanie Walker signs two-year extension with Titans". NFL.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  48. Davenport, Turran (September 10, 2018). "Titans' Delanie Walker has broken ankle, ligament damage". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  49. Wyat, Jim (September 10, 2018). "Titans Sign TE MyCole Pruitt, Place TE Delanie Walker on Injured Reserve". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  50. Wyatt, Jim. "Remember Me? Titans TE Delanie Walker Scores Two Touchdowns in Win Over Browns". Titans Online. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  51. Boclair, David. "Walker reaches career milestone, takes home memento". SI.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  52. Wyatt, Jim (November 27, 2019). "Titans Place TE Delanie Walker on Injured Reserve, Add Kicker Ryan Santoso". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  53. Wyatt, Jim (March 13, 2020). "Titans Release TE Delanie Walker, Kicker Ryan Succop". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  54. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30480237/baltimore-ravens-wr-dez-bryant-says-tested-positive-just-kickoff
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdYbplw6eMk
  56. "Delanie Walker's aunt, uncle killed in car accident". NFL.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  57. "Delanie Walker". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
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