LA Rams Sign DL Tyrunn Walker

The Los Angeles Rams have signed five-year NFL veteran Tyrunn Walker according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter:

Walker was a UDFA from the 2012 NFL Draft who landed with the New Orleans Saints. He spent three seasons in the Big Easy before heading north for two seasons with the Detroit Lions. His 2014 season offered some promise as he blossomed into a regular reserve playing in all 16 games in his final season in NoLa. He broke his leg in 2015 which truncated his season early, but Walker was a functional part of the Lions’ front in 2016 picking up eight starts and finishing with 15 tackles.

It’s an interesting signing given his history. In Detroit, he played alongside DT Haloti Ngata in a 4-3 base. The years prior though, he grew up as a 3-4 DE in Rob Ryan’s shell as well as under Arizona State Head Coac Todd Graham, then the coach at Tulsa, Walker’s alma mater. Given that new Rams Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips is likely to begin putting his 3-4 formation in this offseason, it’s fair to believe that Walker’s history with the formation was part of the rationale behind the addition.

It’s not a huge signing in terms of immediate impact. It is a strong indication that Phillips is going to begin addressing his front seven sooner rather than later.