One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL Draft was Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker falling to the Atlanta Falcons. There was some level of belief that the defender could be a top ten selection. Walker fell to the Falcons, and the hype has continually grown ever since. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has made it clear the Falcons plan to use Walker as a primary pass rusher on the first two defensive downs. This helps clear up what role the defender will serve, having the ability to play off-ball at a high level as well.
Head coach Raheem Morris recently talked about Walker's quick transition to the next level, comparing the talented defender to "instant grits." This compliment was due to Walker's ability to take anything the coaching staff threw his way and quickly master it. Even in OTAs, this is the exact type of headlines Falcons fans want to read heading into the summer.
Falcons Rookie Defender Jalon Walker is Already Exceeding Lofty Expectations
Along with veteran signing Leonard Floyd and fellow rookie James Pearce Jr., there is reason to believe the Falcons are going to make meaningful improvements rushing the passer. It has been the biggest area of defensive concern for the team over the last half-decade. It is hard to accurately judge the team's secondary when the quarterback is able to drop back and simply wait for someone to come open.
Walker is the biggest piece in solving this problem and thus far is above expectations. Head coach Raheem Morris, building up the rookie, speaks to what the organization believes is an incredibly high ceiling. The one remaining concern is whether or not Walker's frame is going to hold the pass rusher back, lining up on the defensive line consistently. This is what appears to have caused the defender's surprise drop in the first place.
This concern was clearly overblown if OTAs and rookie minicamp were any indication. Jalon Walker is the defensive star this team has been badly in need of for the past five years. While fans are going to need to be patient with the rookie's development, there is every reason to believe the hype as we head deeper into the 2025 offseason.