Jaguars rumors: DL Travon Walker in play at No. 1 in the 2022 NFL Draft

Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back and NFL Media analyst Maurice Jones-Drew recently raised a few eyebrows when he projected Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker at No. 1 in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he might have been into something, as the Jags could indeed be targeting the former Bulldog with the top pick.

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reports that the Jaguars have seen Walker as a target with the first overall pick. Moreover, he says that Walker “will be meeting with the team’s brass in the coming weeks“.

"Sources have confirmed that the Jaguars have targeted Walker as a player they could take with the first pick. Sources have also confirmed that Walker will be sitting down with the front office and top brass of the organization in the coming weeks. The team will do its due diligence on Georgia’s defensive lineman."

Walker is coming off a dominant performance in the Scouting Combine and although he needs to work on his pass-rush moves, he’s stout against the run and has the athleticism to thrive in the NFL. The consensus is that has the versatility to lineup anywhere across the defensive line, drop in coverage, and make plays in space, something that the Jaguars and other teams covet.

The Jaguars could also be doing due diligence on Travon Walker.

Once the Jaguars applied the franchise tag on Cam Robinson, the chances of Alabama’s Evan Neal and North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu going first overall became slim. And for a couple weeks, Michigan Aidan Hutchinson has been in the driver’s seat to be the pick at No. 1.

Meeting with Walker alone doesn’t mean the Jaguars will take him with the top pick. As far as everyone is concerned, they could just be doing due diligence on him. After all, they need to get the No. 1 pick right if they want to right the ship and start winning games. Having said that, it shouldn’t be ruled out either. If they meet him and think that he could be a better fit than Hutchinson, nothing is stopping them from taking him on Draft Day.

Also, there’s the fact that Dane Brugler of The Athletic reports that the Detriot Lions have explored the possibility of trading up for the top pick. In that scenario, the Lions would take Hutchinson and the Jaguars would be in a position to land Walker with the second overall pick.

Last year, there was no doubt Trevor Lawrence was going to be the top pick in the draft but that was because he was the most talented quarterback prospect in the last few years. This time, there’s no clear-cut candidate to go first overall. That’s why it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Jags either trade down and/or take Walker at No. 1.