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New Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker showed promise as a pass-rusher while in New Orleans.

(AP File Photo)

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions haven't told Tyrunn Walker what his role will be in 2015. Or at least that's his story.

But a few things are becoming clear.

Foremost among them: The Lions probably aren't moving to a 3-4 defense. At least not as their base package.

Walker said by phone Monday that he doesn't expect to do any two-gapping after signing with Detroit last week. That suggests the Lions are sticking with the 4-3 despite losing starting defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency.

"They give the D-line an opportunity to go out and make plays," Walker said. "I talked to some coaches, and they were like, 'We're really not going to do too much two-gapping things' -- (things) I was doing in New Orleans. And so that's a dream. That's a great fit for me.

"I don't know what the plans are. I just know that they don't two-gap at all. ... They don't believe in two-gapping. I'm just going to go out there and play football."

Two-gapping is a common technique in 3-4 schemes that calls for defensive linemen to eat up two blockers. Walker, a fourth-year veteran, did some of it while playing a rotational role in New Orleans' 3-4.

There had been some speculation the Lions might move into a similar scheme once Suh signed with Miami and Fairley headed to St. Louis. They also have a surplus of linebackers, with a healthy Stephen Tulloch joining DeAndre Levy, Tahir Whitehead, Josh Bynes and Kyle Van Noy in a crowded rotation.

But it looks like the Lions are sticking with the 4-3 as their base package, which was alluring to a promising pass-rusher such as Walker.

[Related: Scouting report on Tyrunn Walker]

"I watch a lot of film, and I was familiar with how they play D-line ball and stuff like that," Walker said. "It was one of those situations where I could see myself fitting in well. Coach (Jim) Caldwell and those guys were great, so I was like, 'This is where I need to be.'"

Walker, who turns 25 on Wednesday, ranked as the 18th-best pass rusher at the position last year according to ProFootballFocus. That's impressive, given his limited number of snaps.

PFF credited Walker with 284 defensive snaps. Only one other defensive tackle ranked ahead of him in pass-rushing had fewer than 366 snaps.



The Lions signed Walker to a one-year, $1.75 million deal to complement the run-stuffing Haloti Ngata. And that's the other thing that is becoming clear.

Walker was reluctant to say whether the plan is for him to start in Detroit, but with that kind of cash on the table, it would be a surprise if he didn't have a prominent role.

"They told me they want me to come in and play," Walker said. "I'll just come in and do whatever they ask me to do, but I haven't talked about starting or rotation guy. Haven't talked about anything like that. I'm just going to come in and work hard and do what they ask me to do."

Walker currently is penciled in as the starter opposite Ngata, with Caraun Reid filling a rotational role behind them. But that competition could ramp up if Detroit takes another defensive tackle high in the draft.

The Lions hold the 23rd overall pick, and they are expected to heavily consider adding a defensive tackle with it. Texas' Malcom Brown and Florida State's Eddie Goldman have generated a lot of interest as possible options for Detroit.

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