The Atlanta Falcons have turned the page on a new era in their team's history. They used the 2025 NFL draft to bring in players they believe will have an impact on the team's current and future success.
They drafted five players and handed out jersey numbers to them. First-round pick Jalon Walker decided to don No. 11, which some fans saw as disrespectful to former WR Julio Jones.
Freshly minted 🚨 pic.twitter.com/45ynqUyNYY
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 7, 2025
Jalon Walker Will Wear No. 11 With Falcons
Jones was the sixth overall pick by Atlanta in the 2011 NFL draft and played a decade with the club. He is the franchise leader in receptions (848) and receiving yards (12,896) while being second in receiving touchdowns (60). During that stretch, he racked up seven Pro Bowl nods, two First-Team All-Pro and three second-team All-Pro selections. He retired from the league in April, but the Falcons not keeping his number off limits can be off-putting to fans.
While people are excited to see what Walker does, he has big shoes to fill wearing No. 11. For him, though, this is the number he has worn for Salisbury High School and the University of Georgia.
Walker is a hybrid linebacker and pass rusher who owns outstanding traits. He can win speed and is known for his leadership skills. In three seasons at Georgia, Walker had 89 total tackles, 18 TFLs, and 12.5 sacks.
He will be leaned on early in the season, but once fans see No. 11 in a Falcons jersey, they will immediately think about Jones. Whether or not Walker can live up to those expectations remains to be seen.
Regardless, many fans weren't thrilled to see No. 11 get pulled back out. Jones is one of the most talented receivers to play in the league, and some people wanted that number off-limits.