REPORT: TRAVON WALKER TO VISIT WITH JAGUARS

Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports

Georgia's star defensive end Travon Walker will meet with the Jaguars on a top 30 visit. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Jaguars, along with each team in the top five of the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, will meet with Georgia defensive end Travon Walker for a top 30 visit. Over the next few weeks, the Jaguars will meet with many of the top prospects in the draft. Even if they don't plan on drafting a player, establishing a relationship and building a profile on as many players as possible is critical. Jacksonville has reportedly met with Florida defensive lineman Zachary Carter, Georgia linebacker Quay Walker, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, and NC State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu. 

Walker, 21, has been a massive riser in the draft as of late, thanks to an incredible physical and athletic profile. He stands 6'5", weighs in at 272 pounds, has 35 1/2" arms, and 10 3/4" hands (both arm length and hands are in the 95th percentile for defensive ends). Even as a bigger defensive end, Walker tested out of his mind at the combine, and his athletic prowess consistently showed up on tape. Walker ran a 4.51 40, leaped 35.5 inches, tallied a 123 broad jump, and a 6.89 3-cone. 

Walker, who is a true junior, was a five-star recruit out of Thomaston, Georgia. During his three years in Athens, Walker played in 29 games, tallying 61 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. 

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On the field, Walker is already a dominant run defender who uses his length and strength to close gaps and envelop ball carriers. He makes plays all over the field thanks to his motor and ability to cover ground in a hurry with explosive movements, long strides, and legitimate speed. But as a pass rusher, Walker is a projection. Georgia didn't deploy Walker as a "pin your ears back and go get the quarterback" type rusher very often. Instead, he generally aligned face up with tackles or even on the interior, with his primary task being to eat up blockers and allow linebackers to make plays on the ball. 

There has been some buzz on Travon Walker potentially being a dark horse candidate for the Jaguars with the first overall pick, but Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is still the heavy favorite based on betting odds and according to most experts around the country. 

My take: While Walker's upside appears to be limitless, there are EDGE prospects in this class who take less projection and have impressive athletic and physical profiles over their own. Walker would be a reach with the first overall pick. 

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