2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jalon Walker

Strengths

• Elite Athleticism: Walker combines exceptional size (6'2" and 245 pounds) with fluid athleticism. He moves efficiently laterally and demonstrates excellent flexibility on the edge.
• Pass Rush Extraordinaire: Walker attacks with a plan against opposing linemen. He displays good hand technique to fight off blockers and counters with speed and power.
• Versatility: UGA and Kirby Smart weren't afraid to use Walker in various positions. He logged snaps at 3-Technique, RDE, LDE, LB, and even Slot Corner.
• Disruptive: Walker is a true game-wrecker, demonstrating a talent for disrupting the opposing team's passing attack at the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses

• Linebacker or Defensive End?: Teams will have to get a feel for Walker as a stand-up linebacker in the NFL. Of his 621 defensive snaps, 249 occurred on the D-line, 311 were as an off-ball linebacker, and 61 were played as a slot corner.
• Play Strength: Walker is a disruptive player but can still strengthen his frame to attack linemen in the run game.
• Coverage Concerns: Walker can adequately spot-drop, but UGA seldom asked him to cover much. Can that be coached at the next level?
• Inexperience: Before 2024, Walker logged only 362 snaps in his first two seasons. He needs to find a team willing to continue developing him.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Jalon Walker

I have Jalon Walker as the top linebacker prospect in this upcoming draft class, and it really isn't close. Certain players from specific universities tend to excel at the next level: Ohio State wide receivers, Iowa tight ends, Wisconsin linemen, and front-seven players from the University of Georgia.

Walker's film is dazzling. He served as a key player for Kirby Smart, who effectively repositioned him throughout the defense. Walker routinely penetrated the line of scrimmage, often facing opponents who outweighed him by 50 pounds, and he single-handedly disrupted the passing game plans of several teams.

The real question is how well he fits at the next level. He somewhat reminds me of former Bears draft pick and Bulldog Leonard Floyd, as they share a unique frame and offer versatility as both a linebacker and a down lineman. Walker undoubtedly possesses the athletic fluidity to drop into coverage; however, he still needs to refine that aspect of his game at the next level if he plans to be an off-ball linebacker in the NFL.

I consider Walker a first-round talent, but if he falls into the second round, I would love for the Bears to consider him at 39. He's too disruptive to overlook for a defense desperate for pass rushers.

Pro Comp: Nolan Smith