The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we've got you covered with in-depth scouting reports on all of the top prospects at every position in this year's class.
Here's everything you need to know about Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker heading into the 2025 draft:
Vitals
Height: 6-2
Weight: 245
Age: 21
Strengths
A jack of all trades for the Bulldogs, Walker's rare combination of ideal size and top-flight athleticism made him a dangerous weapon all over the field. His versatility allowed him to line up at multiple spots and make splash plays in every facet of the game, whether he was lined up off the ball or on the edge of the defensive front. He's an explosive defender with a strong blend of short-area burst and straight-line speed that makes him effective when attacking downhill as well as changing direction laterally.
Walker can match routes in coverage with his athletic ability, and he knows how to get after the quarterback as both an edge rusher and when blitzing from deeper alignments. His frame allows him to hold his own against offensive linemen in the run game, and gives him enough strength and power to challenge them when rushing the passer.
Weaknesses
Walker's biggest question mark is experience, having not been a full-time starter until the 2024 season. That inexperience can show up in flashes, as a false step in the wrong direction or a misread key can leave him out of position as both a run defender or in coverage. He's shown the ability to be effective as both an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher, but switching between the two spots hasn't allowed him to fully find a high comfort level with the nuances of either just yet.
Updated 2025 NFL Draft Rankings By Position
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | EDGE | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
Final Analysis
There's some boom-or-bust potential with Walker, but NFL teams are likely to bank on his impressive blend of size, athleticism, physicality and versatility, and with good reason. Walker's physical profile and flashes of brilliance from the 2024 season prove there's sky-high upside for him, regardless of where he lines up at the next level, and he should only get better once he's able to get more reps and sink his teeth into a consistent role.
Current Projection: 1st Round
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM.