Cleveland Browns add a new defensive tackle, sign former XFL player Ricky Walker

The Cleveland Browns sign former Virginia Tech DT Ricky Walker

In need of depth on the defensive line, the Cleveland Browns added a free agent on Saturday. According to the team’s official twitter page, they signed former Virginia Tech defender Ricky Walters.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 300-pounds, Walker spent five seasons with the Hokies after redshirting in 2015. Following his year off, he became a force in the middle of their defensive line.

As a junior in 2017, he had 41 tackles with 12.5 going for a loss — as well as 4.5 sacks. IN his final season, he was able to record another 49 tackles with 10.5 of those going for a loss, and adding another two sacks.

Walker went undrafted following his successful collegiate career and then joined the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. He played well in the preseason but never made it to the final roster and Dallas elected not to bring him back via the practice squad — which was a surprising move.

He then got another chance in the XFL with the Tampa Bay Vipers. In that league, Walker had just eight tackles but he did enough to get the attention of the Browns who will bring him into a position that could use some depth.

Andrew Billings opted out of the season due to COVID concerns which hurt their plan to add some much-needed depth. Walker is a three-technique, meaning he won’t fill the role left vacant by Billings, but he could help them as they do have to move players around to fill that void.

For Walker, it’s a good team to try and break in with. Behind Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, and Jordan Elliott, no positions are locked in.