Most Falcons fans, many that are not even Georgia Bulldogs fans, have been clamoring for Atlanta to draft one of the plethora of talented defensive prospects Kirby Smart has produced since taking over as head coach in Athens.

Last week, it finally happened, with the Falcons selecting linebacker/EDGE Jalon Walker, who shockingly fell to them when they were on the clock at #15. Most expected Walker to go somewhere inside the top 10 picks, but when he fell, the Falcons didn’t do anything foolish, taking the most talented prospect available that just so happened to play college football right in their backyard.

It’s been a longtime coming because, in theory, the Falcons and Bulldogs should be a perfect match. Atlanta has consistently had one of the worst defenses in the league over the last two decades, particularly across the defensive front, and no coach has produced more elite defensive linemen than Kirby Smart. Terry Fontenot should be looking to do this every draft. But while it was long overdue, Smart is thrilled Jalon Walker is staying in the state of Georgia.

“It’s going to be really cool. He loves this state, he loves Georgia, he loves the Braves,” Kirby Smart responded while being interviewed on the Braves broadcast Friday night. “I’m glad the Falcons finally worked that out and got a Dawg.”

Jalon Walker has the opportunity to become one of the most beloved Falcons of all time. A Georgia Bulldogs star going to the hometown team and helping fix what’s been the single biggest problem with the franchise for multiple decades. He’s the kind of guy that can not only help the team win games, but put butts in seats as well.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire