![Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile coaches during the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh day of NFL Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday August 6, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_314,y_104,w_973,h_547/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/55/01m1sb8sz1n0dcas18mq.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile coaches during the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh day of NFL Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday August 6, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
Even though Travon Walker suffered a drop-off in production last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars gave him a $110 million extension in the offseason because they're confident he'll bounce back.
Before Walker got hurt in 2025, he had shown notable progress the past two years, registering a combined 20.5 sacks in that span. The former Georgia Bulldog is back at full strength, and an NFL analyst believes that will allow him to take a massive step next season.
The Jaguars could see Travon Walker break out in 2026
Pete Prisco made an appearance on 1010 XL and said that Tavon Walker is poised for a banner season, noting that he played at a high level when he was healthy in 2025.
"As far as the pass rush, the guy that's ready to take the big next step is Travon Walker," Prisco said (3:10 mark). "For all the criticism, and believe me, there were a lot of people who criticized Travon Walker for where he was picked. Is Hutchinson better in terms of rushing the passer? Absolutely, I was guilty of it as well. But Travon Walker is such a difference maker. He can play the run. When you move him inside on passing downs, he can rush the passer."
Prisco continued, "He was hurt last year, which is why his numbers were down, and yet he still played at a high level when he was on the field. I think healthy Travon Walker will change the narrative about that draft pick, and b) about who they are as a pass rush team because Hines-Allen is going to get his, and so what you need is you need somebody else to become dominant on the other side, and I think Travon Walker has a chance to do that this year."
"So I think they will rush the passer better. You know they're not going to be, and Campanelli will help with a lot of the looks that he throws at people to help get that pass rush up, but I think Travon Walker is kind of the key to the defense this year."
Walker was the first overall pick in 2022. He got off to a slow start to his NFL career, registering 3.5 sacks as a rookie. However, he's improved and become a well-rounded player.
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Travis Hunter will have a banner year, but Travon Walker is the Jaguars' true X-factor
Just recently, ESPN chose Travis Hunter as the Jaguars' X-factor for the 2026 season, and the pick makes sense when you take into account that the former Heisman Trophy winner had a breakout game last year just before he suffered a season-ending injury. That said, Travon Walker could have a bigger impact on the team's defensive game plan.
Walker can line up at multiple spots across the line of scrimmage. He could play defensive tackle and allow B.J. Green II to rush the quarterback opposite Josh Hines-Allen. That kind of position flexibility would give defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile a dynamic piece to build around.
Although Travon Walker went first overall in 2022, he's somewhat flying under the radar. He's in a position to change that and turn the Jaguars defense into one of the most dominant in the league.
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