Jaguars OLB Josh Allen on Travon Walker: He wants to be great

The Jacksonville Jaguars believe edge rusher Travon Walker was the best player in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. And it looks like they might have been into something, as Josh Allen has nothing but good things to say about the former Georgia Bulldog.

Allen spoke to the local media on Day 2 of Jaguars training camp and was asked about Walker and said that the No. 1 overall pick is doing everything he can to be great.

"From what I see here, he wants to be great… he attacks every day like it’s his last day. He’s ready to learn, he’s like a sponge. He was mentality-wise the way I came in, he wants to be around greatness because he wants to be great. You get some guys like that around in the locker room, we’re going to be a great team."

Allen had an immediate impact after the Jaguars made him the seventh overall selection in the 2019 draft. The former Kentucky Wildcat had 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his rookie campaign but didn’t have to make a position switch, unlike Walker, who will be moving to outside linebacker full-time after lining up at different spots across the defensive line in college. Here’s Allen talking about Walker:

Travon Walker will be a long-term investment for the Jaguars

The Jaguars would be thrilled to get 10 sacks from Walker in 2022 but that may not be feasible and they know it. The Georgia native is changing positions, and even though he was the top pick in this year’s selection meeting, he doesn’t have to produce results right off the bat. Of course, the organization will eventually want a significant return on their investment but it won’t be this upcoming season.

One thing helping Walker is Allen, who will be a positive influence on him. Moreover, there’s a night and day difference between the Jaguars last year and now. There’s currently a competent coaching staff, one that can help him maximize his talent and become a playmaker. That wasn’t the case last year, when Urban Meyer was running the show and no player was put in a position to succeed.

If Walker does turn out to be great, the Jaguars will be glad they chose him over Aidan Hutchinson in the draft. For the time being, it looks like the rookie has the right mindset and is doing everything he needs to live up to expectations.