Georgia Defender Jalon Walker Showing Real Potential

Georgia edge rusher (and inside linebacker) Jalon Walker showed me enough as rotational defender on his 2023 game film to pencil him him in on my ‘first-round watch list’ in the 2025 NFL Draft.

No question, I liked Walker more coming off the edge than I did as an inside linebacker. It seems Georgia’s coaches agreed as most of his limited action came at edge on 3rd downs.

Walker ‘overthought it’ too much at inside linebacker. Bottom line⎯he was too hesitant were attempting to flow to the ball. He noticeably delayed in reacting to the play flow one too many times. He seemed too easily fooled by misdirection.

Walker was much better when he didn’t have to think about it and he could just do his thing ⎯and go get the quarterback.

This was something he proved adept at doing ⎯logging five sacks in limited action.

NFL traits

Walker showed the traits that are consistent with high end pass rushers in the NFL. He showed the necessary speed, bend and ability to make adjustments in the pocket to get the job done. The thing about ‘traits’ is they must consistently show up on the game film and with Walker, they show up enough to believe he’s legit.

Walker combines those traits with good hand usage and brute natural strength and a good effort level to disrupt the pocket.

Said another way, he’s a brute bully.

No nonsense pass rusher

While some may say Walker has a ‘high ceiling,’ at the next level because he showed limited pass rush tools in his toolbox, I take a more realistic approach and call it what it is.

If he develops into a more sophisticated pass rusher, great, but teams need to know what the game film showed, not what I hope happens.

Walker is a no frills pass rusher who relies on his speed, athleticism and natural bend to win. In other words, he isn’t showing much in the way of pass rush moves. He looks raw, but dynamic as a pass rusher. He flashes and when he blows things up, he blows things up.

However, the lack of a pass rush arsenal did get him tied up at times against blockers.

Run defense was important to him

Since Walker mostly played in the 3rd down sub package on a lot of passing downs, he wasn’t on the field as much to prove himself as a run defender in these nine games he logged production in during the 2023 season.

Run Defense Stats:

• 20 tackles
• 14 solo
• Six tackles for loss

Despite limited opportunities, he made the most of his playing time.

NFL crystal ball

I keep going back to what Walker looked like coming off the edge and that is intriguing. Yes, I do need to see more, but Walker has what it takes.

It’s in there.

It showed up on film.

He just needs to become a little more consistent and show he is coming along to make it official. I need to see him in a full time role before making a final decision if he’s a situational pass rusher or a full time game-changing difference maker.

#11 Jalon Walker 6-foot-2, 245 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 30.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 14, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: UT Martin, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Alabama, and FSU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Muscular well defined athletic frame. Thick calves and thighs. Long arms. Natural athlete. Explosive short-area burst. Twitchy. Limber. Flexible. Can change direction well. Most frequently used pass rush move was the swim move. Flashed jump and spin moves. Mostly wins on speed outside or stunts through inside gaps. Explosive short area burst. Can run. Hunts and chases. Hard wrapping impact tackler who delivers devastating shots. Good effort vs. run. Inconsistent shed. Once in a while drops into zone and man pass coverage.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Pass rushing production?

2. Pass rush moves shown?

3. What position does he perform best at?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.