A sluggish 4.7-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine sent Everson Walls undrafted out of Grambling State in 1981. Talent evaluators wrote off his raw speed, but legendary Cowboys executive Gil Brandt saw what stopwatch-obsessed scouts missed: elite instincts, fluid hip mobility, and a rare knack for snatching the football out of the air. Returning home to Dallas, Walls signed as an undrafted free agent and immediately proved that closing speed matters far less when a corner reads the quarterback better than the receiver does.

Walls secured the starting left cornerback position as a rookie, delivering one of the most impressive debut seasons for a defensive back in NFL history. He led the league with a franchise-record 11 interceptions in 1981, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and cementing his reputation as Tom Landry's top ballhawk. During the strike-shortened 1982 season, he continued his excellence by grabbing seven interceptions in nine games, becoming the first NFL player to lead the league in picks in consecutive seasons.

His dominant perimeter play reached its peak during a four-year period from 1981 to 1985, During this time, he received four Pro Bowl invites and three All-Pro selections, including First-Team honors in 1983. In 1985, Walls led the NFL in interceptions for the third time, catching nine passes to strengthen the opportunistic secondary known as "Thurman's Thieves" under defensive coordinator Ernie Zampese. By leading the league three times (1981, 1982, 1985), Walls joined Ed Reed as the only players in NFL history to achieve this milestone.

Although Walls didn't possess blazing speed, he effectively eliminated receivers with better field awareness, leverage, and accurate hand technique at the catch point. Quarterbacks attempting out-breaking routes against him often faced interceptions as he anticipated and jumped the pattern. He was a consistent presence in the Dallas secondary into the late 1980s, mentoring younger defensive backs and leading the team in interceptions five times, a franchise record that remains unbroken.

When the rebuilding Cowboys left after 1989, Walls signed with division rival New York. In 1990, he had six interceptions and made a game-saving tackle on Thurman Thomas in Super Bowl XXV, earning his long-awaited championship ring.

With Dallas, Walls played 133 games, with 44 interceptions, 427 return yards, and five recoveries. Second in franchise history behind Mel Renfro (52), Walls is one of the most prolific undrafted steals in pro football history.