INDIANAPOLIS — Not like the earlier two seasons, the Jets have a number of holes to fill this offseason.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, who performed 4 completely different positions in school, is the right choice for the Jets at seventh total due to his versatility.
“I feel like I’m better at being that chess piece,” Walker stated throughout his availability on the NFL Scouting Mix.
“I feel like playing multiple positions, being an inside backer, outside backer, and playing that nickel and that SAM [strong-side linebacker], increases my value and it increases the team value as well just because you never know where I will be at in the gameplan for that week.”
Walker, 21, was a Swiss Military knife for Georgia in the course of the 2024 season. He’s a hybrid participant who performed each as a move rusher and an off-ball linebacker. That’s why the Salisbury, North Carolina native has an opportunity to be the third defensive participant chosen in April’s draft after Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter.
Walker might be in play for the Jets at No. 7, relying on the place they view him on the subsequent degree. Jamien Sherwood, who led the group with (158) tackles final season, will probably be a free agent firstly of the brand new league 12 months on March 12.
C.J. Mosley, one of many group’s captains, might be a wage cap casualty after solely taking part in 4 video games final season due to toe and neck accidents.
In the event that they see Walker as an edge rusher within the NFL, the Jets may additionally use assist there. Jermaine Johnson continues to be recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 2 in opposition to the Titans. Exterior of Will McDonald (10.5 sacks) and Quinnen Williams (six), the Jets move rush lacked consistency in 2024.
The Jets’ protection additionally took a step again final season. Whereas the Jets completed third in yards allowed per recreation (313.8), they had been twentieth in factors allowed (23.8).
“I’m a ballplayer,” Walker stated. “So just being on the field is my favorite position. Just being everywhere, you just don’t know the anticipation of being at the outside backer on one snap, being an inside backer, being a STAR [hybrid linebacker/nickel cornerback], it gives me the comfort of they don’t know the element of surprise they are going to get next.”
At 6-2, 245 kilos, Walker has the scale to be an element on run and move downs. He additionally has the velocity and athleticism to line up in man protection and the intelligence to carry out nicely in zone coverages, which isn’t at all times a trait linebackers coming into the NFL have.
As a freshman in 2022, Walker performed sparingly as a reserve and particular groups participant, serving to Georgia win a nationwide championship. Throughout his sophomore marketing campaign, Walker was a rotational participant and registered 20 tackles and 5 sacks.
Final season, Walker completed with 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks for the Bulldogs. He additionally obtained the Butkus Award because the nation’s greatest linebacker. He helped Georgia’s protection end twelfth in yards and sixteenth in factors allowed (20).
Walker believes his time at Georgia underneath coach Kirby Sensible helped put together him for this chance to succeed on the NFL degree.
“I appreciate his guidance and the love that he gave for me,” Walker stated. “I know, time is the enemy and I know you don’t get a lot of it. So, during my time at Georgia, I had a plan for going into my junior year to make sure I was in this position.
“So, I’m taking my preparation through the preseason, going towards training, attacking it with all my effort, attacking the playbook, and making sure I’m in the best environment for myself for success going into the season.”
