JACKSONVILLE, FL (AP) – Putting more emphasis on professional potential than on college production, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Georgia’s Travan Walker with the best pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.
The Jaguars were 6 feet 5 and 272 pounds ahead of Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson, who set a school record of 14 sacks in 2021 and finished second in the Heisman Trophy.
General manager Trent Baalke has been leaning towards Walker for months, insisting that new coach Doug Pederson fully agrees with the former Bulldogs’ No. 1 choice. Critics say Hutchinson is the more polished product and point to Walker’s limited number of colleges. He had 9 1/2 sacks for three years in Athens, Georgia, including six during last season’s national championship.
But Baalke and Pederson see a more agile player in Walker, who recorded defensive-end shots, defensive matches and an outside midfielder in Georgia’s acclaimed defense last fall. His highlights include more than sacks; he stops running, handles fast receivers in the open field, and suggests passes that lead to grips.
“He’s an athletic freak,” Georgia defense coordinator Will Mushamp told the Associated Press. “I swear to God that he can be a midfielder and get better. I would take him to number 1 even if I didn’t blink. “
The Jaguars did just that.
Once a star of two sports with NBA dreams at Upson-Lee High School in Thomaston, Georgia, Walker eventually stopped playing football and quickly became one of the most sought-after rookies in talent-rich Georgia. He signed with the Bulldogs and played ball in college just over 100 miles from his hometown.
He waited for his time as a backup in his first two years in Georgia – he made the Freshman All-SEC of the league – and really started to flourish as a teenager. He started all 15 games in 2021, finishing with 37 rebounds, including 7 1/2 for a loss and two assists.
Muschamp first met Walker when he was 10 and now considers him one of the best kids he has ever coached.
“There are no red flags,” Mushamp said. “He’s the real deal now.”
Jacksonville is the fourth NFL franchise to be ranked No. 1 and hopes to be the first to reach both selections. Tampa Bay (1976-77, 1986-87), Cincinnati (1994-95) and Cleveland (1999-2000, 2017-18) both failed.
Jaguars believe that quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the best choice to score a year ago, is on the verge of becoming a star and just needs more help around him.
Jacksonville signed tight-end Evan Engram and successors Christian Kirk and Zay Jones to a free agency to help Lawrence. They also brought in five-time Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff to help redesign an offensive line that allowed Lawrence to be fired 32 times.
Offensive fights Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu and Evan Neal were considered number 1, but improving the team’s pass proved to be a more pressing priority. The Jags still expect to use at least two of their 12 selections to strengthen the defense of Lawrence and possibly his host corps.
But for now, they have a defensive unit to team up with fellow passer Josh Allen in hopes of immediately improving the defense, which ranks 20th in the Yards Allowed Yard in 2021, leveling 27th with 32 sacks and conceded nearly 27 points. game.
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