The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a wide array of options in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there's a strong chance that Travis Hunter won't be available when they're on the clock at No. 5. Fortunately, the Jags will have several intriguing alternatives, and the best one is becoming abundantly clear.
Jalon Walker has seen his stock rise in the weeks ahead of this year's draft. It's possible that analysts are adjusting their projects and teams already had him high on their draft board since the end of the 2024 season. Having said that, you'll hear more chatter about the Salisbury, North Carolina native going in the top 10 and probably as early as No. 5. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media is certainly high on him, giving him the fifth spot in his list of top 50 prospects.
Similarly, Steve Muench said on the Todd McShay Podcast that Walker can be a game-changer in the NFL, pointing out that he played lots of snaps at off-linebacker at Georgia, but his value is on the edge getting after the quarterback.
"He's one of those guys that I talk about that scares me because of the size, because of the snaps that he's played, that he's played at off the ball, he's played an inside linebacker," co-host Steve Muench told co-host Todd McShay. "Those two things are two things that you have to recognize and you have to talk about, and that was in your java, but so I guess we already kind of hit it a little bit. I'm like everyone else, though. I'm betting on this kid because the tape's that good. He's that explosive."
Muench continued, "I think he can overcome that coming off the edge. I think it's interesting that a lot of people list him as an inside linebacker. I don't think you draft an inside linebacker usually that high. I think it's unusual. I see him as an edge. His value is as an edge. You can use them in different ways. But his value is his ability to get after the quarterback. And that's his explosiveness, his ability to get under guys, the way he closes, the way he chases, all of those are things that jumped out of me on tape."
Former Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock also sees Jacksonville as a potential destination for Walker. Of course, you could bring up his track record with the Silver & Black as a reason to disregard him. Having said that, he was a respected draft analyst before he joined the Silver & Black's front office.
Walker play off-linebacker but also rushed the quarterback at Georgia. He doesn't have much starting experience but certainly has the physical traits and instincts to succeed at the NFL level. In fact, his biggest red flag might be his dearth of playing time, but with the proper coaching, he could turn out to be game-changer.
Below is the full exchange between McShay and Meunch. The remarks about Walker start at the 40:30 mark.
Related story: 4 free-agents who will have the biggest impact for the Jaguars in 2025
Why the Jaguars should roll with Jalon Walker at No. 5
The Jacksonville Jaguars would love to have a shot at drafting Travis Hunter, but nearly all the teams ahead of him have varying degrees of interest in him, so the odds of him making it to No. 5 will most likely be slim. For the sake of the argument, let's say the two-way star is off the table when the Jags are on the clock. Their best option, or at least the one that's been brought up the most, will be Mason Graham.
There's no doubt that Graham has the athleticism and power to play defensive tackle at the NFL, but his arm length could give Jacksonville or any other team pause. If the Jaguars' brass isn't sold on him, offensive tackle Will Campbell and Armand Membou could be enticing options.
Then again, the front office may want to wait to address the offensive trenches in later rounds, given how stacked the draft is with interior offensive-line talent. That could leave Jalon Walker as the best alternative. Granted, the Jaguars already have Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, but they need a No. 3 behind him. Picking the former Georgia Bulldog at No. 5 would help them check off that box.
The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars need to get as many game-changer as possible in the draft if they want to climb up the AFC South next season. Jalon Walker most certainly fits the bill.