YESSSSSSS AN EDGE RUSHER
The Falcons selected Jalon Walker, a Georgia Bulldog, which is going to make a huge chunk of the fanbase very happy. He’s also an edge rusher, which is going to make pretty much everyone really happy. Here’s everything you need to know.
Stats & Accolades
- 2022: Played in 15 games (Nine tackles, two tackles for loss, sack).
- 2023: Played in 14 games (20 tackles, five sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, forced fumble).
- 2024: Played in 14 games with 11 starts (60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups). Third-Team Associated Press All-American. Second-Team All-SEC. Won Butkus Award (nation’s top LB).
What the Falcons are getting:
Walker is an explosive, fluid, yet undersized edge rusher with the versatility to also play off the ball in the NFL. On the field, Walker is a menace for opposing tackles with his explosive get-off and elite closing speed to track down ball carriers at all levels of the field. Whichever team drafts him will have to figure out his best fit in the pros, but Walker’s springy and dynamic athleticism will make it hard to keep him from rushing the passer for the majority of his snaps. His skillset translates well to playing off-ball linebacker but he’s a tad slow to diagnose route combinations and commit in coverage. If Walker needs to take on a rotational role on defense in Year 1, he can still give you special teams snaps as he was a coverage player for Alabama in 2024 while being a full-time starter.
Strengths
- Played one of his best games against a very talented Texas offensive in the SEC title game
- Knifes and strains to split double-teams
- Closing speed is eye-popping when chasing down runs from backside
- Still played special teams coverage snaps while a full-time starter in 2024
- Sifting through garbage at the line of scrimmage looks second nature
- Keeps shoulders square to the line and minimizes space between ball carriers quickly
- Explodes through the shoulder of tackles using length and a powerful two-hand swipe
Weaknesses
- Undersized for full-time edge rusher work in NFL
- Team will have to decide where his best fit is in the pros
- Can be enveloped by larger offensive tackles if not kept clean
- Surprising lack of flexibility around edge despite being a very fluid athlete
- Only one season of starting experience at Alabama
Athletic Testing
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 245 pounds
- 40-yard dash: N/A
- 10-yard split: N/A
- Vertical jump: N/A
- Broad jump: N/A
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- Short shuttle: N/A
- Bench Press: N/A