Strengths: He has an ideal frame. Is a tall, has big hands and long arms. Doesn't have a problem seeing over his OL. Has adequate bulk and the frame to get bigger. Is still filling out. His biggest positive is his arm strength. Can make all the throws in the NFL. Puts good zip on his deep out and shows the strength to drive the ball downfield in the vertical passing game. His release quickness is outstanding. He is poised in the pocket. Will check off his primary target and do a consistent job of finding his No. 2 option. Has a nice high release. When he sets his feet correctly he has very good accuracy. He has very good intangibles. Is a mature and poised player and person.
Weaknesses: Could still stand to bulk up and get stronger. Trusts his arm too much at times. He still doesn't make the correct reads consistently enough. He will force throws that he shouldn't because he thinks he can fit the ball into a tight spot. Has good overall accuracy but his touch can be inconsistent. Has some trouble taking zip off the ball at times. While he is quick and shows some ability to throw on the run when he is flushed from the pocket, he is not a great athlete. He is tall and somewhat awkward looking at times. Does not have great initial quickness or COD skills. Is not much of a threat to run. He's a big quarterback who seemingly has yet to fully develop into his body. He is a big target for pass rushers. Durability is a concern after shoulder surgery as a senior. He was unable to play in the Senior Bowl or workout at the combine.
Overall: Walter started two games as a freshman in 2001. He began the 2002 season as a backup but quickly took over the starting job and exploded onto the national scene with 3,877 passing yards and 28 touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions in coach Dirk Koetter's wide-open offensive attack. However, while Walter didn't play terribly as a junior in 2003, he did not make the progress that was expected. His supporting cast was not what it was in '02 when he had go-to WR Shaun McDonald and he also suffered an ankle injury against UCLA that forced him to miss one game and hindered him for the final three games. Walter was enjoying a bounce-back season as a senior in 2004 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury versus Arizona. The injury required surgery and prevented him from participating in the Senior Bowl and from working out at the combine. Walter reminds us a lot of a young, leaner, quicker Drew Bledsoe. Walter is a tall pocket passer with great arm strength and a calm demeanor. While he isn't a good athlete, he is a little bit quicker than Bledsoe and he can move around within the pocket and avoid the rush a lot better than Bledsoe can. Like Bledsoe, however, Walter can fit the ball into a lot of tight spots that other quarterbacks can't but he also tries to fit the ball into some spots that even he can't slip it into, which leads to obvious problems. Walter was having a strong senior season until suffering the shoulder injury. While durability is a bit of an overall concern in regards to Walter's longevity in the NFL, the injury itself shouldn't cause him to drop much. Walter will need time to develop and he by no means is a complete product at this time. However, his upside is great enough for a team to understandably take a chance on him in the second round.
