The Jacksonville Jaguars raised eyebrows when they drafted Travon Walker first overall in 2022. After all, he was coming off a promising collegiate career but was dubbed a project at the time. The fact that they passed on Aidan Hutchinson, and he went on to have an immediate impact for the Detroit Lions, only brought more scrutiny to the decision. Having said that, Walker has developed into a fine player and is poised to have a breakout season in 2025.
Hutchinson posted nine sacks and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022. Meanwhile, Walker had a quiet campaign, logging an interception and 3.5 sacks. However, he's narrowed down the gap the past two years. The former Georgia Bulldog has registered 10 sacks in back-to-back seasons. The fact that he pulled off the feat despite the fact that he added unnecessary weight but still came through makes it more impressive.
A new regime took over after the 2024 season, and quickly identified Walker as a building block, wasting no time picking up his fifth-year option. Head coach Liam Coen said at the time that the decision was a no-brainer, noting that he was left impressed when he first got to meet him. Similarly, veteran linebacker Foyesade Oluokun heaped praise on his teammate, noting that he's seen him grow and expects him to be even better in the new system.
But despite his steady progress, Walker was brought up as a trade candidate. The reason? Most of the proposals centered on the fact that the Thomaston, Georgia native has been a good pass rusher with untapped potential. And precisely for that reason, the Jaguars won't be entertaining any inquiries. In fact, they'll put him in a position to succeed next season.
3 reasons why Travon Walker will have a banner year in 2025
The very first one is obvious. Travon Walker is back at his natural weight. He confided in the offseason that bulking up took a toll on him and hindered him at the end of games. That will no longer be an issue.
On top of that, the Jags dismissed defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who rubbed players the wrong way with his arrogant demeanor. To replace him, they hired Anthony Campanile, whose no-nonsense approach has been a breath of fresh air. But wait! There's more.
Walker will now find more favorable matchups, as the interior defensive line will be much better next season. Maason Smith's strong finish to 2024 should carry over, and Arik Armstead is back at defensive tackle after mostly playing on the edge last year. With the two lining up inside, both Walker and bookend pass rusher Hines-Allen will find much better matchups.
When you add it all up, Travon Walker is in a prime position to break out in 2025. Heck, don't be surprised if he earns the first Pro Bowl nod in his career, and the Jaguars at last get a bit of credit for drafting him first overall.