J. D. Walton

Justin Daniel Walton (born March 24, 1987) is a former American football center. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft and has also played for the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, and New York Giants. He played college football at Baylor.

J. D. Walton
refer to caption
Walton with the Denver Broncos
No. 50, 60, 55, 66
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1987-03-24) March 24, 1987
Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:310 lb (141 kg)
Career information
High school:Allen (Allen, Texas)
College:Baylor
NFL Draft:2010 / Round: 3 / Pick: 80
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:56
Games started:52
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Walton attended Allen High School in Texas, where he was a first-team all-district and first-team all-county offensive lineman. He recorded 79 pancake blocks to lead District 9-5A as senior, as he helped Allen to win the bi-district championship. In his junior year, he was a second-team all-district pick after recording 59 pancake blocks. Walton was a teammate of former Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick.

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com,[1] Walton was not listed among the top offensive line prospects in the class of 2005. However, he received 14 Division I scholarship offers and eventually picked Arizona State over Colorado State, Iowa State, SMU, and Utah.

College career

After redshirting his freshman year at Arizona State, Walton decided to transfer to his home state and enrolled at Baylor University. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he had to sit out his first year at Baylor.

Finally playing in his sophomore year, Walton started every game at center—one of three Baylor offensive linemen to do so, joining Dan Gay and James Barnard—for the Bears in 2007. He played 911 snaps, most by a Baylor offensive performer. The Bears' offensive line yielded only 21 quarterback sacks, the fewest since 1995.

In his junior year, started all 12 games at center and earned 2008 honorable mention All-Big 12 by the Associated Press. Baylor's line, which also featured Jason Smith, who was the No. 2 pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, generated 2,349 rushing yards, the most at the school since 1981, and 29 touchdowns.

Walton entered his senior year as an Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy candidate. He again started all games for the Bears and has now 36 consecutive starts. Walton was a finalist for the 2009 Rimington Trophy, but eventually lost out to Maurkice Pouncey. However, he was named a 2009 College Football All-American by the Associated Press, the first Baylor center to do so since Aubrey Schulz in 1974.[2]

He was invited to play in the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Walton was rated the No. 1-rated senior center in the 2010 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.[2] He drew comparisons to Jake Grove.[3]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash20-yard shuttleBroad jump
6 2+5⁄8 300 lb
(136 kg)		 33+3⁄8 9+1⁄45.24 s4.69 s8 ft 5 in
(2.57 m)
All values from NFL Combine

Denver Broncos

Walton was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round (80th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.[4] He was the second center to be picked in the draft, after first rounder Maurkice Pouncey. Walton signed a four-year contract on June 17, 2010.[5] On September 30, 2012, Walton suffered a dislocated ankle during a game against the Oakland Raiders, and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. On December 17, 2013, he was waived by the Denver Broncos.

Washington Redskins

Walton was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins on December 18, 2013.[6]

New York Giants

Walton was signed by the New York Giants on March 12, 2014.[7] He was released on March 2, 2015.[8]

Miami Dolphins

Walton signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 19, 2015.[9] On August 30, 2015, he was released by the Dolphins.[10]

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers signed Walton on September 29, 2015.[11]

References
  1. "J.D. Walton Recruiting Profile", Rivals.com, retrieved December 18, 2009
  2. Werner, John (December 16, 2009), "Baylor center Walton makes All-America team", Waco Tribune-Herald
  3. "J.D. Walton Draft Profile", CBS Sports, retrieved December 18, 2009
  4. "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  5. Wilson, Aaron (June 17, 2010). "Broncos sign J.D. Walton to $2.58 million deal". nationalfootballpost.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  6. Jones, Mike (December 18, 2013). "Redskins claim former Broncos center J.D. Walton off waivers". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  7. Alper, Josh (March 12, 2014). "Giants sign J.D. Walton". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  8. "Giants release Center J.D. Walton". giants.com. March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  9. "PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Sign J.D. Walton". Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  10. Alper, Josh (August 30, 2015). "Dolphins make 11 cuts on way to 75 players". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  11. Henne, Ricky (September 29, 2015). "Chargers Sign Pair of Offensive Linemen". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
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