The Falcons seemingly pass over a Georgia Bulldogs star player in every draft. Who, of course, somehow make their way to the Eagles, which led to the Lombardi Trophy heading to Philadelphia. Bulldogs fans that are also Falcons fans would love nothing more than to see that change in the first round of this year’s draft. It’s been reported that Atlanta will strictly focus on adding to the defense, and there are three Bulldogs projected to go in the first round. Headlined by Butkus Award winner Jalon Walker, who NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah recently called “a lock” to go in the top 10.
“He took over a couple of games,” Jeremiah said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
“Texas at Texas, that was a statement there. He’s a lock to go in the top 10.”
Jalon Walker is a bit of a tweener, who played both inside linebacker and on the EDGE for Kirby Smart’s defense. He still managed to rack up 6.5 sacks despite not receiving a full allotment of pass rushing snaps to go along with 11 tackles for loss.
While there are concerns about Walker’s instincts as a linebacker and his size as a pure pass rusher, a good coach will bet on his attributes and accentuate his strengths. He just does too many things well not to be a productive player for a defense at the next level, and the Falcons desperately need talents like him on that side of the ball.
Unfortunately, if Walker is really a lock for the top 10 like Daniel Jeremiah suggests, the Falcons will have to get aggressive to land him. Something that may prove difficult, given Atlanta only holds five picks in this year’s draft.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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