Star CFL receiver Derel Walker worked out for the Dallas Cowboys recently.
The Hillsboro, Texas native made the drive from his off-season home to Dallas for the session.
Walker signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Argonauts for the 2019 season which was worth $275,000. The 28-year-old made 65 catches for 1,040 yards — 16 yards per reception — and six touchdowns during his first year as an Argo in 15 games. He was named an East Division all-star for being a consistent go-to target for Toronto quarterbacks McLeod Bethel-Thompson and James Franklin.
During 2018, Walker hurt his left leg in the second quarter of Edmonton’s Labour Day loss to Calgary when it bent awkwardly during a tackle. He didn’t play again the rest of that season but still recorded 51 grabs for 875 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. Those totals were enough for Walker to earn West Division all-star status.
The two-time CFL all-star and 2015 Grey Cup champion signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January of 2017. He made one reception for 15 yards in four pre-season games and Walker was released by the Bucs among the final cuts after training camp, which made him a free agent. Walker signed with the Eskimos midway through 2017, posting 48 catches for 634 yards and two touchdowns in eight games while scoring a rushing touchdown.
One year earlier, Walker finished second in CFL receiving yards during the 2016 season with 1,589 and a team-leading 10 touchdowns on 109 catches in 17 games. He had 1,110 yards and six touchdowns on 89 catches in just 12 games and was the CFL’s most outstanding rookie in 2015.
The six-foot-two, 188-pound pass catcher had a stellar senior season at Texas A&M University with Johnny Manziel throwing him passes. Walker snagged 51 balls for 818 yards and five touchdowns. He went unselected in the 2014 NFL draft, but signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans. After failing to record a catch in four pre-season games, Walker was released by the Titans and made his way to Canada.
Through 64 games in the CFL, Walker has 363 receptions for 5,248 yards and 32 touchdowns. He’s averaging 82 receiving yards per outing in the three-down league. Walker’s consistently high production could earn him one last shot at the NFL. But if a contract from south of the border doesn’t come, Walker will be a highly sought after free agent if the Argos let the playmaking target hit the open market.
