Walker is one of the top defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft.
For years, Dont’a Hightower was the gold standard of linebacker play in New England and the epitome of what former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was looking for in a defender. A first-round draft pick in 2012, he developed into a cornerstone for the team due to his leadership, communication skills, positional versatility and athleticism.
The days of Hightower and Belichick are long gone. And yet, new head coach Mike Vrabel might be in a position to add his own version of the three-team Super Bowl winner in this year’s draft. His name is Jalon Walker.
Hard facts
Name: Jalon Walker
Position: Move linebacker (Defensive edge/Off-the-ball linebacker)
School: Georgia
Opening day age: 21 (2/24/2004)
Measurements: 6’1”, 243 lbs, 79 7/8” wingspan, 32” arm length, 10 1/4” hand size, N/A Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Georgia (2022-24)
Career statistics: 43 games (11 starts) | 984 defensive snaps, 367 special teams snaps | 85 tackles, 9 missed tackles (9.6%), 18 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries | 73 quarterback pressures (12.5 sacks, 9 hits, 51 hurries) | 22 targets, 15 catches surrendered (68.2%), 141 yards, 1 TD | 4 special teams tackles, 1 punt block
Accolades: Butkus Award (2024), Second-team All-SEC (2024), Third-team All-American (2024)
Draft profile
Expected round: 1 (top 15) | Consensus big board: No. 11 | Patriots meeting: N/A
Strengths: Walker has “future defensive leader” written all over him. Growing up in a football environment prepared him for such a role, and contributed to him being named a captain at Georgia as a junior and to the SEC leadership council. On the field, he is deserving of this label due to his smooth and explosive moving skills: he combines an elite first step as a pass rusher with sideline-to-sideline range when used off the ball; he also translates his speed into power at both positions.
On the edge, his burst combined with upper-body strength and a powerful punch puts offensive linemen into trouble from the get-go. Even if they recover, his hand placement and quick reaction allow him to have a variety of counters ready or at the very least get his hands up to bat down passes. He also has the lateral quickness to be used on line games and the foundational base to develop as a run defender.
Off the ball, Walker does not shy away from coming downhill and leaving his mark in the running game. He diagnoses well and reacts quickly and decisively without running himself out of position. The burst he uses to create stress on the edge also allows him to effectively blitz from the second level. Walker also can shed blocks both off the ball and when pursuing from the backside.
by his size and the uncertainty whether his versatility will translate to the NFL. In addition, there is an uncertainty about his development as a pass rusher that New England just might not be comfortable with.
One-sentence verdict: Walker is not a clean prospect due to his lack of size and uncertain projection, but he still possesses the upside to become an impact player who would make a fine addition to New England’s defense after trading down from No. 4 into the early teens.
What do you think about Jalon Walker as a potential Patriots target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
