Jaguars biggest winners and losers of the 2022 NFL Draft

No. 3 Jaguars biggest winner of the 2022 NFL Draft – Travon Walker.

Travon Walker was the first player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft and that’s an honor no other football player can boast about. The fact that Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke sees plenty of former NFL defensive Aldon Smith in Walker certainly played a big role in the organization’s decision to choose him over Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

Even though the Jaguars don’t get plenty of national media coverage, Walker will often get the spotlight simply because he was the first overall pick, which is a good thing. If he plays well, the Jags’ national profile will get a boost. The Georgia native told the local media that he doesn’t pay too much attention to what others say, which will help him stay focused.

Walker also told the media he was glad he went to the Jaguars because his family can make the trip to Jacksonville without having to fly. This should in turn help him feel at home. Moreover, he’s already acquainted with several of his new teammates. He met cornerback Tyson Campbell when the two played at Georgia. Similarly, Walker says he met Trevor Lawrence back in high school. This kind of familiarity and environment should help him with the transition to the NFL.

Sure, Walker will face plenty of scrutiny as the No. 1 pick and he will be expected to become a playmaker from Day 1. Every mistake he makes will be magnified, and he will be questioned if he struggles and Aidan Hutchinson thrives early on. Nevertheless, the Jags believe they got a potential franchise building block and Walker arguably landed in the best possible spot.