Are We Sure The Jaguars Took The Best Overall Player At #1?
Jacksonville's first overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft raises eyebrows in more ways than one.
In a year in which there wasn't really a runaway favorite for the #1 overall pick in the Draft, I do think Jacksonville's selection of defensive end Travon Walker is... interesting, for a lack of a more eloquent description.
For the record, I do understand why Walker was thought of so highly. His 40-yard dash time (a 270lb+ edge rusher finishing in 4.51 seconds is just ridiculous), arm length, hand size, and lateral agility (measured by his 3-cone drill time) are all firmly in the "elite" range for any player in the NFL at the position. His vertical leap and broad jump measurements -- which NFL evaluators use to judge a player's explosiveness -- are both in the top 20% of players at said position. Given his chiseled frame and ridiculous wingspan, as the old school football people would say, he absolutely looks the part of a stud edge rusher when he's walking off the bus.
Put more succinctly: Walker demonstrated a ceiling that was higher than any edge rusher in this Draft.
But, I do wonder whether he'll ever hit that ceiling.
Walker was known much more for his athletic traits and relentless motor while at Georgia, versus being a bonafide home-wrecker for opposing offenses. It is very curious that someone with his physical gifts would record less than 10 total sacks and a grand total of one forced fumble after three years in Athens. I know that in Georgia's scheme, Walker was asked to play more of a two-gapping style that didn't ask him to rush upfield much.
But, you'd think that if he was effectively the best player in the nation (or the best Draft-eligible player anyway), he'd generate better statistics almost incidentally. Except you could make the argument that Walker was able to bully and toy with physically overmatched college offensive linemen, but when he had to face future NFL guys opposite of him, he wasn't as dangerous. He's not a polished pass-rusher at this point in his development, and there are concerns about whether he has the initial burst and bend needed as an edge rusher, which would allow him to make use of all his other gifts.
From what it sounds like, Jacksonville does have a thoughtful plan in place, as far bringing Walker along in their scheme. New head coach Doug Pederson has already mentioned that he'll be in their edge rushing rotation, alongside Josh Allen and K'Lavon Chaisson, as well as the recently-signed Arden Key. They'll almost certainly experiment with passing situation packages in which they kick Walker inside to defensive tackle, given the experience and capability playing along the interior that Walker showed in college.
Still, I do wonder if Walker is going to be one of those guys whose physical talents allows him to do a lot of things for his team, without really excelling at any of them in particular. In other words, I'm very much not sold on the idea that Walker is the franchise cornerstone"-type of player, as in the type of guy you're hoping to acquire when you use the #1 overall pick.
Of course, if I'm wrong, it certainly wouldn't be the first time.
Time will tell, so let's see. ■