Defensive end Travon Walker hasn't reached this ceiling, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are pleased enough with his development that they picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Based on head coach Liam Coen's comments, it was an easy decision.
Coen met with the local media during the team's voluntary workouts and said that he was impressed with Walker once he got to know him.
"Type of guy that getting to know a little bit, knowing this is something we know we want to be a part of, right?" Coen responded when asked why Jacksonville picked up Walker's option. "We want to have this relationship, and now, once we get them in the building under our roof, getting to know each other a little bit more and create in those conversations. I think that was really what stood out."
The first overall pick in 2022, Walker had a relatively quiet rookie campaign, registering just 3.5 sacks with an interception. However, he's made significant progress the last two seasons, registering a combined 20.5 sacks.
During the same exchange, Coen told the press corps that the Jaguars aren't planning at this moment to pick up linebacker Devin Lloyd's option. This isn't shocking when you take into account that he's been solid the past two years but not much else.
The window to exercise the fifth-year options opened on January 6, and the deadline is May 1. There's still time to pick up Lloyd's, but it doesn't currently look like they will. Below is Coen's full media availability session. His remarks about Walker start at the 9:19 mark.
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Picking up Travon Walker's option was a no-brainer for the Jaguars
You could make the case that Travon Walker has yet to live up to his draft billing, but he's progressively gotten better. Add the fact that he still has room for growth, and it's easy to understand why the Jacksonville Jaguars picked up his fifth-year option.
The former Georgia Bulldog is set to make $11.8 million and $14.8 million in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Those are manageable cap hits for a pass rusher who has registered at least 10 sacks each of the past two seasons.
It's also worth noting that Walker thrived in 2024 despite the fact that Ryan Nielsen, who rubbed players the wrong way with his arrogant demeanor, was the defensive coordinator. It wouldn't be surprising to be even better under Anthony Campanile.
Whether the Jags sign Walker to an extension in 2025 remains to be seen. They should before the market goes up, but even if they don't, they have a pretty good pass rusher in the fold at an affordable rate. That's why they didn't hesitate to pick up his rookie option.