While Penn State’s Abdul Carter is widely considered the most talented player entering the 2025 NFL Draft, others are close behind. There’s no questioning Carter’s talent, but someone like Jalon Walker could be just as gifted — and may have flown a bit under the radar.
While Carter grabbed headlines in Happy Valley, Walker quietly made a name for himself at Georgia. The Bulldogs used him as an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher in their pressure packages. He’s a unique player, used all over the field, and even referred to himself as a “hybrid linebacker.”
NFL Draft Expert: Jalon Walker ‘Ain’t Lasting Long’
Longtime college football and draft analyst Todd McShay recently shared his thoughts on Walker. Speaking with the co-hosts of the “Keep Purring Podcast,” a Carolina Panthers fan show, McShay didn’t mince words.
“Jalon Walker ain’t lasting long,” McShay said. “I had one person say, ‘What’s the bleeping difference between him and Abdul [Carter]?’ A couple of inches? This guy is the alpha. We’ve talked about it multiple times.
“Then I’ve talked to other people in the league, and it’s like, ‘Yeah, this cat. I don’t just get the tape, I get him in my building.’ I think Walker’s a better EDGE rusher than he is an off-the-ball linebacker. I think he’s damn good.”
At 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, Walker is just about an inch and a few pounds lighter than Carter. And while most of the spotlight has been on Carter, it sounds like Walker’s biggest limitation has more to do with how his coaches used him.
As McShay pointed out to co-host Eric Briggs, Walker’s versatility could be a big advantage. Briggs added that he sees Walker’s value on the EDGE because of his explosiveness, ability to chase down quarterbacks, take on blockers, and close out tackles.
“I think the clock starts ticking at five, absolutely, the floor is the Saints at nine. But I really think it is Carolina at eight,” McShay said of where he believes Walker might land.
The most recent PFSN mock draft doesn’t have him slipping that far. In that version, the standout EDGE rusher goes fourth overall to the New England Patriots.
PFSN’s scouting report and draft profile praise Walker’s rare skill set. They point out that while he has the frame and traits of a linebacker, he was mainly used as a blitzing pass rusher. They highlight how explosive and aggressive he is but also question why he wasn’t used full-time as either a pass rusher or a traditional middle linebacker.
Ultimately, how teams view his role could determine where Walker is picked. He’s been ranked highly among linebackers but is often left off EDGE rusher lists. If he’s seen strictly as an EDGE, he might slide a bit due to the depth at that position.