The Lions announced that they’ve signed third-round safety Tracy Walker, and in doing so have now inked their entire 2018 draft class.
It’s not clear exactly how quickly Walker will see the field in Detroit’s starting lineup, as the Lions already have Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson in place as starters at safety. Quandre Diggs, meanwhile, is capable of playing both nickel corner and safety, further pushing Walker down the depth chart.
Many draft analysts had Walker pegged as a late-round selection, but the Lions weren’t the only club that was targeting the Louisiana product on Day 3. Following the draft, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported the Panthers were prepared to take Walker at pick No. 85 before Detroit scooped him up three slots earlier.
Walker’s four-year rookie pact will be worth roughly $3.3MM and comes with an $847K signing bonus, per Over the Cap. During his rookie campaign, Walker will count for just $691K on the Lions’ salary cap.
Here’s the entire Lions crop of rookies:
- 1-20: Frank Ragnow, C (Arkansas)
- 2-43: Kerryon Johnson, RB (Auburn)
- 3-82: Tracy Walker, S (Louisiana-Lafayette)
- 4-114: Da’Shawn Hand, DE (Alabama)
- 5-153: Tyrell Crosby, T (Oregon)
- 7-237: Nick Bawden, FB (San Diego State)