Slipping Jalon Walker
April 7th, 2025
This is not a Da’Quan Bowers situation, but it is intriguing.
Bowers, an edge rusher out of Clemson, was once considered to be a possible No. 1 overall draft pick. A knee injury hurt his draft stock and the Bucs pounced in Round 2 of the 2011 NFL Draft.
A year later, Bucs head coach Greg Schiano broke Bowers mentally and soon after he was a full-time gospel musician. #TheLostDecade
Joe was reminded of Bowers today as Joe inhales 2025 mock drafts alongside Hooters’ delicious Spring Break specials. Joe continues to see mock drafts claiming versatile University of Georgia edge rusher/linebacker Jalon Walker will fall in Round 1 of the NFL Draft on April 24.
The latest mock from TheAthletic.com, a pay-per-view site, says Walker falls all the way to Tampa Bay at No. 19.
This might be the floor for Walker, whose testing may have caused him to slip behind [Jihaad] Campbell and [Mike] Green on some boards. Still, he’s a legit playmaker anywhere he lines up — a hell-on-wheels front-seven defender who’d be perfect for Todd Bowles.
Is Walker an edge rusher at 6-1, 243 pounds? He will get bigger and stronger after just turning 21 years old. Or is he a hybrid, do-it-all playmaker that would be very comfortable and dangerous at inside linebacker, especially in a Todd Bowles scheme?
Joe’s seen Walker graded as a top-5 player in the draft. That’s where NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah has him ranked right now. Others have him as a late-first-round talent. Joe hasn’t seen such a wide disparity for a stud player in a long while.
What isn’t debated is Walker’s leadership, work-ethic and team-first approach, which should put him in great standing with the Buccaneers’ front office.
Man, it’s hard to believe a talent like Walker drops to the Bucs at No. 19 But a lot of fans and media sang a similar song about Bowers and eight years ago when the Bucs drafted Dalvin Cook O.J. Howard at No. 19 overall.
April 7th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
This would be a great piece for the Todd Bowles D.
April 7th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
He’s got a quad but I don’t know his current status. He’s played both ILB and edge.
NFLDraftBuzz:
“Walker’s explosiveness off the edge and development as an off-ball linebacker jump off the screen. His combination of twitch and power reminds me of Anthony Barr coming out of UCLA – a defensive weapon waiting to be unleashed. The way he demolished Texas’s protection scheme with three sacks showed exactly what he can be at the next level.
The Ravens or Cowboys would be perfect landing spots, where creative defensive minds could maximize his versatility as both a stack linebacker and designated pass rusher. His closing speed and natural feel for rushing the passer scream third-down playmaker from day one. The coverage skills are still raw, but the athletic traits and processing speed suggest he’ll develop quickly in that area.
Give Walker two years in an NFL strength program while letting him hunt quarterbacks on passing downs, and you’re looking at a defensive cornerstone. His film against SEC competition proves he can hang with NFL-caliber athletes. The ceiling here is a Pro Bowl linebacker who defensive coordinators can deploy as their ace card – whether it’s shutting down tight ends in coverage or creating havoc off the edge. Few prospects in this class offer that kind of game-changing potential.”
April 7th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
I’d be very on board with this. Bit of a tweener, yes but we need playmakers on D and this kid clearly is one.
I doubt he makes it to #19. Not sure where I would rank him on my mini board of realistic possibilities for the 1st round but it would be high. Could groom him to replace Lavonte and turn him into a Parsons for us, rushing/blitzing a lot.
April 7th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Is a smoke screen I doubt he gets past ATL, however I kinda think mykell Williams might get to us
April 7th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
Bowers was more than a knee injury issue. He had a degenerative condition of the knee.
The comparison to Bowers is out of left field. Walker isn’t “dropping” except in the media, and if he’s a top 5 talent by consensus in NFL front offices, he is not going to drop to 19. The key with him will likely be to initially NOT exploit his versatility, but rather have him learn 1 position, unless he’s a quick study… in which case, you’ve got a wildcard weapon you can play with.
April 7th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Lol. Let’s see his stats Joe. There’s a lot of prospect/projections for him at the pro level, when the stats weren’t there this past year in college. Oh but the talent is undeniable, lol. Numbers are undeniable. Pass!
April 7th, 2025 at 5:58 pm
Can he be the new secret deep under cover chess piece to replace Jill Tryon?
April 7th, 2025 at 5:58 pm
I live in ATL now and I listen to their local sports talk which repeatedly have them taking an edge. They want either one of the UGA edge/olb. I don’t see him making it to us.
April 7th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Smoke screen?
By who,The Athletic?
By definition, a smoke screen is something designed to obscure, confuse, or mislead. In the NFL Draft that would be an owner, GM or head coach trying to “fool” other teams into thinking they will pick or not pick a certain player by claiming to have interest or disinterest in that player.
Same can be said for a position of need.
Curious: what does The Athletic have to gain by shooting off a “smoke screen?”
Who are they trying to help or mislead?
Truthfully, I don’t believe smoke screens work in the NFL. Most teams are fully aware of their competition’s strengths and weaknesses long before the draft.
Personally, I think people just like to write or say the words, “smoke screen.”
It comes off as some sort of personal discovery of covert underhandedness.
“Hey, I cracked a spy ring!”
April 7th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
I am hearing that whole bunches of NFL teams want to trade down this year.
Hearing that NFL executives love Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter and Mason Graham.
I do not agree with FilthyAnimal that Walker is a clear top 5 talent. He more fits in that group of guys somewhere between 5 and 22.
Ratings for him
The Athletic 3
ESPN 6
Todd McShay 7
MD DB 10
NFL.com 12
Draft Net 15
CBS 17
33 team 18
Draft tek 21
Draft Buzz 26
PFF 29
PFN 29
Walter Football (Campbell) 30 (he actually used Noah Spence in his comparison).
April 7th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Don’t see the hype around this guy
April 7th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
geno711 Says:
April 7th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
I didn’t say he was.
I said “ if he’s a top 5 talent by consensus in NFL front offices”… I have no idea myself, and no opinion. I was referring to J0e’s comment: “Joe’s seen Walker graded as a top-5 player in the draft. That’s where NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah has him ranked right now.”
April 7th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Avoid.
Also…I do not put stock in rankings. They are wrong every year.
April 7th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
geno711 Says
“I am hearing that whole bunches of NFL teams want to trade down this year.”
Never. Ever. Listen. To pre-draft talk.
This is the season of lies. Even if media types ‘are hearing’ things, they are likely misdirection.
April 7th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Jason Licht should never again be allowed to draft a DE.
Let him find those in free agency. He’s fabulous at that.
Stick to what you know how to do.
CB is our greatest need at this point.
Grab a top flight guy in round one or two.
April 7th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
licht recently made a comment he has made mistakes in the past drafting a position of need .
hes seems to have learned to not pass on bpa. since defense has so many needs it will be hard to mess this pick up
April 7th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Oxygen is spot on!!! BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE….stick to your board and if BPA coincides with a need all the better….Hard to do but if Bud Lyght can replicate last years draft we’re in very good shape! GO BUCS…
April 7th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
I didn’t dare to dream because I thought it completely impossible…..
Hands down this is a Buccaneer dream scenario pick. I just don’t think he’ll be there at 19 and I doubt Licht would go get him or anybody for that matter. Licht just isn’t a go gettem type of gm “in the draft”. And yes I know he moved up one spot once, but I don’t remember him moving Up other than that one spot ever in the first round.
We have for a Very Long Time, have had the leisure of a Pro Bowler in the middle of our defense. A “generational talent”. And we LOVE that strength in our defense. We’re about to be Very Sub Par when David leaves. Unless…..
But if you were gonna move up….. ESPECIALLY with the typ of need that we “seem” to have then Jalon Walker is your guy to pull the trigger on. At least a reasonable move up for what looks like the next potential game changing monster in the middle for the next 10 + years then…. YOU GO GET HIM!
Then again the character would HAVE TO check out AAA+ because None of us are interested in another Devin White type of attitude…
April 7th, 2025 at 8:29 pm
19. Nick Emmanwori
S South Carolina
53. Trey Amos
CB Ole Miss
88. Joshua Farmer
DT Florida State
121. Danny Stutsman
LB Oklahoma
157. Zah Frazier
CB UTSA
182. Jeffrey Bassa
LB Oregon
235. Nick Martin
LB Oklahoma State
April 7th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Draft season Liar’s Poker
Believe nothing until Goddell gets his first boo…
April 7th, 2025 at 9:09 pm
Richard Says:
April 7th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Literally no one drafts BPA without regard to need. No one. Would it make sense for the Bucs to draft a LT if that was the BPA at the time of our pick? No, absolutely not.
Which brings up the whole notion of BPA. Does anyone think it’s just a straight up numerical grade, and teams just pick off the top number? No, that’s not even real. Best player for your team is about athletic skill, production, need, and culture fit. No number system is going to cover that.
Also, is a 5.7 grade all that different from a 5.8 grade? If 5.7 is at a need position and is a player you really like because of the quality of the person, you absolutely take the 5.7.
In the end, the way Jason Licht works is tiers, groups of players that they would be interested in taking at early, middle, and late stages of each round. They are looking for team fits, need fits, at a draft position that tracks generally with the graded value.
BPA is a fantasy. It always was. It’s always about best player for your team, the one that can make the biggest impact for you over a few year span, and potentially long career. If a guy has 2 pro bowlers ahead of him on the depth chart, he may never see the field. What’s the sense of drafting him then?
April 7th, 2025 at 9:18 pm
I agree with FA here. My mock draft is based on BPA (Best Player Available) at positions of need, but that could change by the time of the actual draft. There may be a better player or a better fit available. Ultimately, it’s about building a Super Bowl-contending team that can stay together long-term, with a foundation built through the draft. So we honestly only know the Bucs are not drafting a LT, C, or a QB. Outside of thoes positions…. WHO KNOWS???
April 7th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Walkers absolute floor would be the Falcons at 15, but he probably won’t make it past the Panthers at 8 or Saints at 9.
April 7th, 2025 at 9:41 pm
Draft the trenches. Last year it was Center in Rnd 1. This year? Beastly DT/NT … Kenneth Grant, Alfred Collins or Tyleik Wiliams. This is the year.
April 7th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Bowers dropped because he admittedly stated that football wasn’t his sole focus.. he had lots of other interests. Jason wouldn’t even consider Bowers with his approach for interviewing prospects.
April 7th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
OJ Howard had all the intangibles to “potentially” be a star TE, and viewed to be the obvious TE1 in the draft class… He didn’t have the production to match his “potential”, but played for a team that generally threw to their TE’s… in hindsight… there probably a reason why they never threw his way during college 😉
April 7th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
Bowers had the hype!
A steal for that draft… ha ha ha
And no way Schiano broke him… guy just had a broken knee.
Wasn’t he a Mike Dominic pick?
April 7th, 2025 at 10:29 pm
Hope we do not have another 1st round bust this year.
April 7th, 2025 at 10:43 pm
Dumonik let Michael Bennett go because DuhQuan Bowers was “ready to roll.”
“Duh, I didn’t know I had a gun in my carry on luggage. Duh…”
I trust Jason to know the difference. Oh the NFL radio stooge has an opinion, do the opposite,
April 7th, 2025 at 11:16 pm
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!
April 7th, 2025 at 11:43 pm
Your can bet that Licht and Bowles are BOTH looking very hard at the 1st and 2nd round defenders, especially edge,cb, ilb. While Lichts’ team will have medical, and character info, Bowles will have looked at the tape over and over, and have a huge input on any defensive pick at 19 and 51 (and maybe deeper). Bowles is also accountable for the early round defensive picks over the last few years, so it’s not just Licht that made bad defensive picks. For later round picks, Bowles may not have seen tons of tape, too many players, so the scouts are mostly accountable – and they’ve done really well.
April 8th, 2025 at 12:56 am
Would love this pick if he falls to us.
Otherwise CB in Rd 1 seems best