After a breakout season with the Georgia Bulldogs, linebacker Jalon Walker is generating significant NFL draft buzz. He's widely projected as a first-round pick, and one analyst even considers him the top linebacker in the class.
In a discussion with Rich Eisen on NFL Network about the upcoming draft, Mike Mayock, a former NFL player and Las Vegas Raiders general manage, clarified why his evaluation ranks Georgia's Jalon Walker over Penn State's Abdul Carter. Mayock elaborated on his analysis.
"I put the Georgia tape on of Jalon Walker, and he's an off the ball linebacker at 243 pounds, and my jaw dropped watching him run," Mayock said. "His twitch, his quickness, his speed, his change of direction. But what really intrigued me is on sub packages, Rich they him everywhere from the A gap over the center to all the way out wide as a pass rusher and I have in my notes all over the place for Jalon Walker, Every tape I watched, I have Micah Parsons. Micah Parsons, he reminds me so much of Micah Parsons, when he came out of Penn State."
While Carter is projected as a high-profile edge rusher in the upcoming NFL draft, Walker, though listed as a linebacker, showed a broad range of abilities at Georgia, as highlighted by Mayock. Walker can rush the passer or play off the ball. He has excellent speed and play recognition ability.
"I think the only limitation is a defensive coordinator with lack of creativity, because this kid can play all over the ball. And if you have to chase a guy like Jayden Daniels on the field, this is the kid I want doing it," added Mayock.
While NFL organizations find both players highly intriguing, Carter is generally viewed as the more promising prospect compared to Walker, so Mayock's evaluation comes as a bit of a surprise.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is a lofty comparison for Jalon Walker. Parsons is a two-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He has 12.0 sacks or more in each of his first four career years in the NFL and is slated to sign a massive contract extension.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Former NFL GM compares Georgia LB Jalon Walker to All-Pro
