A former tight end with the Titans, is mentoring prospects at the NFL Combine with the intention of coaching in the future.

A sixth-round selection out of the University of Central Missouri, Delanie Walker is the epitome of an NFL success story. He went on to become one of the greatest stars in the league.

Walker, a tight end for 14 NFL seasons (seven with the Titans), accomplished his success with perseverance and paying his dues.

Walker is preparing athletes at the NFL Combine for the next phase of their playing careers, which makes him an ideal mentor for those hoping to be selected for the NFL Draft. Walker is now doing just that here in Indianapolis.

Walker intends to gain personal knowledge during this journey, as he plans to return to the league in the future as a coach.

Walker is serving as a mentor for the NFL’s Legends Community for the second consecutive year. He’s doing everything he can to have an impact—hanging out with the tight ends in Indianapolis, attending meetings, being on the field, and standing in hotel lobby areas.

“Once I first did it, I was like, I would love to do this every year, if possible,” Walker stated. “Good, because they love you and would be happy to have you back,” they said.

I go to their measures, informal interviews, formal interviews, and medical appointments with them because I adore it and I’m always there. As I cheer them on from the sidelines, I’ll urge them to “keep your head down more” or “pump your arms getting out of the break” if I notice anything. I’ll get those guys asking me how I looked. I’ll also advise them to keep going; even though they look fantastic. I wish to impart to them the kind of advice that coaches in this place and in the NFL are seeking.”

Walker was selected by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In 183 games between San Francisco and Tennessee, he caught 504 passes for 5,888 yards and 36 touchdowns. Between 2013 and 2019, Walker’s career with the Titans truly took off. He was named the team’s Community Man of the Year twice, went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler, and served as captain four times.

In 2006, Walker received an invitation to the combine even before the mentorship program was created. On the pitch, coaches gave him advice.

Walker inspires the athletes in addition to providing them with advice.

“I tell most of these guys: At the end of the day, you are going to come in, and you are going to be even to everybody in there,” Walker stated. “You have the chance, so seize it. Don’t tell the coach you don’t perform this or that, or that you don’t play a particular position. “I can do it, coach, and if I can’t do it, I’ll learn how to do it,” is what you say when they ask you to perform an action.

Special teams are also crucial. That’s my message since you will most likely be playing special teams if you are a late-round draft pick. And you will most likely be playing special teams if you are a high round draft pick and you are not starting. So, start thinking about that immediately.”

Walker expressed his admiration for the tight ends in this year’s class, which includes Brock Bowers, a former Georgia tight end who is regarded by many draft analysts as a top-10 prospect.

Walker praised Bowers, saying, “Just watching his film from being at Georgia, and what he did, he’s an exciting player.” He’s one of those players who will make the kind of plays that quarterbacks in their younger years seek for. And sometimes the tight end is that security blanket, as much as I detest to admit it. He’s one of those guys who can catch the ball and get yards after it, along with others who have quick passes over the middle, dependable out routes, and quick flat routes. I’m interested to watch what he does and the kind of player he develops into.”

For the record, Walker believes that the Titans will not select a tight end with the seventh overall choice.

“If I can get some coaching under my belt, maybe Ran (Carthon) and other GMs and coaches that I interact with would probably take some advice from me, but I’ll say stuff about players, and I’ll give them pointers,” Walker stated. “I’ll let them know my thoughts on particular players. Do I believe the Titans take a tight end that early, though, in the end? Not in my opinion. Simply put, I believe that Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle are currently viewed as the tight ends for the Titans. Would they pick a decent tight end if he were to fall late? Yes, that’s possible; I’ve seen them do it in the past.

“Chig and Josh, in my opinion, are excellent; they work really hard. Because they are young and have time to develop, I believe that both of them will be able to improve each other and feed off of each other, as is the case when two tight ends who played at a high level in college and were drafted do. They simply enhance one another. Additionally, I believe that when we acquire more weaponry from the outside, some opportunities will present themselves for our close allies.”

In relation to development, Walker stated that he hopes to advance both as a teacher and a potential coach.

There has been a tremendous chance thanks to the NFL Combine.

Prior to the 2024 season, Walker will have another significant opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he will work with new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former 49ers coach, through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship/Mentorship program.

The program’s goal is to provide coaches and aspiring coaches with opportunities to watch, participate, acquire experience, and eventually land a full-time NFL coaching position through the usage of NFL clubs’ training camps, offseason fitness programs, and minicamps.

Walker stated that’s his objective and that he hopes to do it in Tennessee with the Titans in the future.

Walker declared, “I am thrilled about this opportunity.” “My calling is simply being around these guys and the NFL, and I miss it.” I simply wish to determine whether this is what I want to accomplish. Fortunately, the NFL offers us programs that allow us to do just that. I want to get my foot in the door. I’m only going to travel to Los Angeles to see whether this is what I want to do, and then I’ll decide what to do next.
“If I want to play for the Titans, I’m going to strive to get with them next year. Although I would (want) to be in Tennessee with the Titans, life happens.”