Jalon Walker Fantasy Stats

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker (groin) is on track to play in Week 1 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. Walker injured his groin in training camp practice in the middle of August but has recovered and should be out on the field for his first NFL contest this weekend. It's good news for Atlanta's defense as they look to slow down Baker Mayfield and Company to kick things off in 2025. Despite being a rookie, the Falcons are hoping that Walker can immediately be one of their most productive pass-rushers as a rotational outside linebacker, but fantasy managers in IDP fantasy formats can likely leave him on the waiver wire to start. In his final year at Georgia, the 21-year-old had 60 total tackles and 6.5 sacks in 14 games played.

Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker (hamstring) will miss his third consecutive practice on Thursday, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Walker's injury has been described as "very minor" by Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. A first-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia, Walker recorded 37 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 11 TFLs in 14 games for the Bulldogs in 2024. The 21-year-old is expected to be an immediate contributor for a Falcons defense that has been desperate for pass-rushing talent in recent seasons. It doesn't sound as though this current injury puts Walker at risk for significant missed time, but with every practice he misses, Walker loses out on valuable preparation time for his first NFL season.

ESPN's Marc Raimondi writes that people have done nothing but rave about Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker, from his physical abilities to his football acumen. The Georgia Bulldog alumni has made a seemingly seamless transition so far at the NFL level at the Falcons' team facility, which is around 43 miles northeast of where he played his college ball. "The human, the character, the person, the player, the all-in mentality," head coach Raheem Morris gushed. "He has those captain-like traits, and when you first meet him, you get that feel, you get that vibe from him, and he'll be one of those guys." The 21-year-old was the 15th overall pick in this year's NFL draft and could be used as both an off-ball linebacker and as a pass-rusher off the edge in Atlanta. Eventually, he should be a three-down linebacker, but in 2025, his playing time could be spotty as the Falcons figure out the best way to use him.

The Atlanta Falcons signed rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker to his four-year deal on Friday, the team announced. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it's estimated to be $20.56 million in total value. He would carry salary cap number of $3.74 million this year before topping out at $6.54 million in 2028. In addition to Walker, rookie safety Xavier Watts, defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. and offensive tackle Jack Nelson signed their rookie deals. Atlanta took Walker with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft out of Georgia. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will use the 6-foot-1, 243-pounder as an inside linebacker or as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in his first year in the NFL. In 11 starts with the Bulldogs in 2024, the 21-year-old had 60 tackles (10.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups.

After turning the NFL Draft upside down in 2024, there was no such drama from the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 as they took Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall. The first linebacker off the board, the former Bulldog likely ended up this high in the draft due to hybrid potential within a defense. At 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, he's fast enough to be an edge rusher, but cerebral enough to snuff out running plays as an inside linebacker. Atlanta was largely expected to fortify its defense in the first round, and did just that with Walker. The rest of the Falcons' draft could be tougher to predict with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. cemented as the clear starter, but Kirk Cousins still on the roster as an obvious trade candidate.

According to the NFL's Ian Rapoport, Georgia Bulldog linebacker Jalon Walker visited with the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Many believe the Browns will go with edge rusher Abdul Carter or wide receiver/defensive back hybrid Travis Hunter with their second-overall pick. However, it appears Cleveland is exhausting every avenue before they're officially on the clock, including Walker -- arguably the draft's top linebacker prospect. The North Carolina native is an explosive defender who could undoubtedly aid the Browns' defense in returning to their 2023 form. Fortunately for Cleveland, they'll have their pick of the litter, sans whom the Tennessee Titans select at one. Furthermore, they could go down a few different avenues of team improvement with their draft choice.

University of Georgia edge rusher/outside linebacker Jalon Walker (quadriceps) will not work out at his school's Pro Day on March 12 because of a quad strain that he suffered while training, sources tell ESPN's Jordan Reid. Instead, Walker will have a private workout for NFL teams on April 17. Walker, who is one of the top edge rushers in this year's draft class, also didn't work out at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week. In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Walker as the No. 8 overall player, while he's considered a top-10 player on ESPN's consensus draft board. He measured at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds at the Combine with an arm span of 79 7/8 inches. Walker earned the Butkus Award in 2024 as the nation's top linebacker by leading the Bulldogs in tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (6.5). His quad injury shouldn't negatively affect his draft stock.