2022 NFL Draft: Top Picks Lead Charge For Defensive Rookie Of The Year
By Kyle Edmond
No. 5: Travon Walker, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s not often that the first overall pick is this far down on a Rookie of the Year board, but that’s the reality in Jacksonville with Travon Walker. Walker is a great talent, don’t get me wrong, but there’s going to be learning curve for him in Jacksonville.
For starters, what was said earlier for Devin Lloyd goes for Walker as well. He’s walking into a very young team with the Jaguars, so veteran leadership to guide along rookies will be spread thin. A lot of Walker’s learning is going to have to happen on the fly.
On top of that, we still need to see how Walker fits into this Jacksonville defense. It took some time for fellow edge rusher Josh Allen to settle in and considering how last season went for the Jags, it’s hard telling what the 2022 season will hold.
Walker will be a strong player in Jacksonville, that’s not the issue. The issue is how long it could take for him to get to his top talent. That could take some time, which won’t help his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Again, long-term Walker will be good. However, in the short-term of his rookie season it’s hard to commit to him being a top rookie on the defensive side at the moment.