Jalon Walker
Career Summary
Jalon Walker is a linebacker and edge defender from Salisbury, North Carolina, who played at Georgia before the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Early Life
Walker is from Salisbury, North Carolina, and attended Salisbury High School before enrolling at Georgia.
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High School
Walker attended Salisbury High School in North Carolina before joining the Georgia football program.
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College Career
Walker played three seasons at Georgia, appearing in 43 games. He finished with 89 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble. In 2024, he recorded 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble in 14 games with 11 starts.
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Path to the NFL
The Atlanta Falcons selected Walker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with the 15th overall pick, after his Butkus Award-winning Georgia season.
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NFL Career
Walker began his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons after the club selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Career Accomplishments
Walker won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 2024. He was a third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-SEC selection that season, after leading Georgia in pressures and pass-rush win rate. He also was part of Georgia's 2022 national championship team.
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Playing Style
NFL analysis described Walker as a compact, powerful and explosive defender who can play on or off the ball. It cited his ability to win with speed, power and counter moves, to set an edge against the run and to close quickly on quarterbacks and ball carriers.
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Sources for this section
31186, 00-0040577, 2004-02-24, Jalon Walker, Jalon, Walker
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 79.4
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.