Jaguars Select Travon Walker with First Overall Pick

With the first overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Defensive Lineman/ Defensive End from the University of Georgia Travon Walker. The Georgia native had a strong season with the Bulldogs last season.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Jacksonville Jaguars select Travon Walker No. 1 overall in 2022 drafthttps://t.co/WfgYjw7CPQ pic.twitter.com/ElWCuLOc8Q
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 29, 2022

After three years in college, Walker declared for the draft. He will improve the Jaguars defense that was the fifth worse in points per game during the 2021 NFL season. Despite his 6'5 275 LBS frame, Walker brings a lot of speed to his position. He posted six sacks and 37 total tackles for the Georgia Bulldogs this past season in 15 games. This was a improvement from the 13 and 15 tackles respectively in his first two seasons. He also improved from 2.5 sacks and one sack in his rookie and sophomore seasons.

Where Walker's speed really impressed was the 4.51 second 40-yard dash he posted at the NFL combine. The speed apparently had a huge impact on the selection as he had a .23 second advantage on the projected by many draft experts first overall pick Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson in the combine's 40 yard dash. The draft combine really put Walker on the map for the first overall selection after he had a better overall performance than Hutchinson.

Prior to the draft, it was reported by Ian Rapoport that Walker was in a serious car accident but managed to come out with no injuries. This is something that fortunately, didn't scare the Jaguars away.

A big-time scare before the Draft: #Georgia’s Travon Walker was in a serious car accident in Athens, GA before the draft, crashing into two parked cars, per me and @TomPelissero. He emerged without injuries somehow. No citations. But a scare for sure.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2022

The added speed on the defensive line should help the Jaguars stop opposing team's running game as well as put pressure on the quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see if the Georgia native transitions his college success to the NFL in his rookie season. One thing for sure is that Jaguars were looking for speed on their defense.