Heading into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Atlanta Falcons fans had only one ask of the organization: bolster the pass rush. The Falcons were ranked 31st in sacks (31) and didn’t do much in the offseason to upgrade the defensive line.
Atlanta parted ways with veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett but signed veteran pass rusher Leonard Floyd to a one-year deal. While Floyd is a nice signing, the Falcons’ brass understood that the veteran won’t be able to carry the unit by himself.
Therefore, with the No. 15 overall pick, the Falcons took former University of Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. Atlanta fans were excited to see the team grab a defender from their backyard, which was something mentioned that the team needed to do earlier in the offseason.
After being drafted by the Falcons, Walker took to Twitter/X and posted, “Rise Up!” The 6-foot-1 defender can line up at inside linebacker, but can wreak havoc off the edge.
Rise Up!
— Jalon Walker (@JalonWlaker) April 25, 2025
Walker spent three years at the University of Georgia, but came into his own this past season. He produced 60 combined tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries.
Walker was rewarded for his efforts this past season as he won the Dick Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker. Over his three-year career with the Bulldogs, the 6-foot-1 defensive star had 89 combined tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks.
ESPN’s Matt Miller compares Walker’s game to Harold Landry III, who just recently signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the New England Patriots. Landry III has only been named to one Pro Bowl in his career, but has had multiple seasons with nine-plus sacks.
The Falcons hope Walker and James Pearce Jr., whom they traded back into the first round for, can reignite their pass rush, which was non-existent in 2024.