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What NFL scouts said about Falcons LB Jalon Walker before the draft
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- What NFL scouts said about Falcons LB Jalon Walker before the draft
The Atlanta Falcons went with Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker in the first round of Thursday night's draft in Green Bay. While many thought Walker was a lock for the top 10, the versatile Bulldogs defender fell right into the team's lap at pick No. 15.
The Falcons didn't complicate things and took the player many had ranked highest on their draft boards. Walker also happens to fill the team's biggest need and comes from the NFL powerhouse that is the University of Georgia.
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So what did NFL scouts say about Walker before the 2025 NFL draft? To find out, we've rounded up scouting reports on the Atlanta's first-round pick from NFL.com, ESPN and more below.
Daniel Jeremiah: Top 250 prospect rankings (6th)
"Walker is a compact, powerful defender with length and explosiveness," wrote Jeremiah . "He played both on and off the ball in the Georgia defensive scheme, but he's at his best on the edge. As a pass rusher, he can win with pure speed, power and an explosive counter move. He's also a weapon when used to spy the quarterback."
ESPN's Jeff Legwold: Top 100 prospects (12th)
"The Bulldogs moved Walker all over their defense, but he projects best as an edge rusher in the NFL thanks to his explosiveness and closing ability as a pass rusher," wrote Legwold . "Walker has led Georgia in sacks the past two seasons but also plays with decisiveness and physicality against the run."
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ESPN's Mel Kiper: Big board (8th)
"Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier," wrote Kiper . "He's a versatile defender, with experience as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. His sideline-to-sideline speed gets your attention when you watch the tape. In Week 8 against Texas, he picked up three sacks."
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein (rank 12th)
"Some see Walker as a tweener while others view him as a hybrid," wrote Zierlein . "Either way, Walker can go. His career snap count is split between edge and linebacker, and his leadership is famous in the Georgia building. He's still working to fine-tune his instincts and efficiency as an off-ball linebacker but has the take-on and closing burst to become a productive pro at that spot."
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Pro Football Focus draft board (25th)
"Walker is a physically and athletically gifted player who presents box presence versatility as an off-ball linebacker," wrote PFF . "His anticipation and pass-rush profile in its current form are lacking for consistent impact in the NFL. He must improve how he approaches rushing the passer or his off-ball instincts to be worth a top-50 selection due to age and potential."
CBS Sports prospect comparison: Kyle Van Noy
"Walker is the jack-of-all trades up front," wrote Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports . "Right after making some plays between the tackles as an off-ball linebacker, Walker will pop out to the edge and give an offensive tackle a real challenge on a passing down. He's not quite as big as Van Noy but plays much larger than his size, particularly when rushing from the outside when attempting to pressure the quarterback."
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons draft Georgia LB Jalon Walker: NFL scouting reports
