FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Jalon Walker makes it sound so simple.
"If you tell me to go get the quarterback," he said, "I'm going to go get him."
The Atlanta Falcons certainly hope that's the case after using the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to bring the rookie edge rusher in house.
Walker is a product of the University of Georgia, which is known for successfully sending defensive players off to the next level. Just look at last season's Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, who were led on defense by six former Bulldogs. Walker was a starter for Georgia in 2024 and made the most of his sole season in that role, leading the team with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
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This may sound contradictory, but the most consistent theme of Walker's game is his versatility.
"He can do all kinds of different things, so he's definitely a threat," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "He definitely provides a threat for us that will allows us to utilize him in the most captivating ways. We've got a lot of coaches up there that are just gunning to use him and funning to find different ways to get it done. I just can't say enough good things about him."
Walker's resume and potential were enough to break Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot's streak of drafting offensive prospects in the first round since he came to Atlanta in 2021.
The Falcons' need to improve their pass rush and belief in a specific player still on the board then pushed Fontenot to execute another first: a trade back into the first round. Atlanta made a notable three-for-two deal with the Los Angeles Rams that allowed the Falcons to also draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr. out of the University of Tennessee at No. 26 overall.
"I believe in what the head guys was doing, and they knew what they was doing," Pearce said. "They brought both of us in here. So, they got a plan and it's up to me and Jalon to follow."
Physically, a quick glance shows these two are built differently. Walker is 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, making him stockier than Pearce's long and lean 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame. But athletically, they should complement each other well.
The versatility Walker brings to Atlanta will allow him to find a role on the field with any of his teammates, really. For example, the Falcons also added veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd through free agency, another former highly touted Georgia defender. There could be a plan for just those two former Bulldogs off the edge. There could be a plan for Walker and linebacker Kaden Elliss blitzing on the inside of the defense. The potential for creativity with a player like Walker is high.
"I'm here to be that piece," Walker said. "If they want me there, I'll be there. If they want me here, I'll be here."
Literally whatever the Falcons want. Outside linebacker. Inside linebacker. Even nickel. He has experience lining up at them all.
Walker showed no preference.
Well, except one. And it's simply to unleash him on the quarterback.
"It don't matter if I'm at the end of the line, don't matter if I'm in the slot," Walker said. "It doesn't matter if I'm off the ball. My job is simple: If you tell me to go get them, I'll go get them. It's just what I do."
We take a look at Jalon Walker in action prior to being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Scenes from the SEC Championship game between #2 Texas and #5 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, December 7, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Scenes from #1 Georgia vs #14 Clemson during the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, August 31, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sacks TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Scenes from #1 Georgia vs #14 Clemson during the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, August 31, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) works against Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Scenes from #1 Georgia vs #14 Clemson during the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, August 31, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) celebrates his sacking of TCU quarterback Max Duggan during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (2) celebrates his sack with Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) blocks Kent State punter Josh Smith's (96) punt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Athens, Ga. The ball went out of the end zone for a safety. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)
Scenes from #1 Georgia vs #14 Clemson during the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, August 31, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sacks Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (10) runs against Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) celebrates after a fourth down stop during the second half against Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Scenes from the SEC Championship game between #2 Texas and #5 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, December 7, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
