Travon Walker | Georgia 6’5” 272 lbs. | 12/18/2000 (Age 21)
Travon Walker was drafted first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the first edge defender drafted and the first overall player in the 2022 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Travon Walker was a five-star recruit coming out in 2019. He was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team in his first year at Georgia with 15 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks as a true freshman. He played as a reserve in 2020 with decent numbers before becoming a lynchpin on the edge for the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs in 2021. He recorded 37 stops, 7.5 TFLs with six sacks, and two pass breakups.
Walker has rare physical and athletic traits that are too much for Jaguars GM Trent Baalke to pass up. Walker has immense upside and could develop into a perennial pro-bowl player. However, there is risk involved with this pick, as his production was not to the level of some of his peers so this selection is a projection. Walker could see a marked increase in production if allowed to play in a scheme that asks more of him than Georgia did from a playmaking perspective.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the NFL Combine, Walker measured in at 6’5” and 272 lbs. Walker ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51–one of the fastest times of all time for a player over 250 lbs. He posted an impressive 35.5-inch vertical and a 6.89 three-cone drill. He chose not to participate in the bench press. Walker is an early-declare with elite upside.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Excellent
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Excellent
Walker was selected with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Walker possesses the size, strength, speed, and experience to play anywhere along the defensive line. He is already an excellent run-defender and possesses immense upside as a pass rusher, though he needs refinement. He will be an immediate starter on the Jaguars and can be considered as a DE starter on fantasy teams, projecting as a low DE2 to high DE3. He should be selected in the early-to-mid second in most IDP dynasty leagues.
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