The Jacksonville Jaguars were horrible in 2021. The Urban Meyer era was a blight on the franchise, but it had one silver lining. It delivered a second consecutive number-one overall pick to the franchise in 2022. In 2021, the Jaguars selected their franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, with the number one overall pick in the draft. In 2022, the franchise elected to address the defense with the first pick. Trent Baalke elected to pass over Aidan Hutchinson and Sauce Gardner to pick Travon Walker from the Georgia Bulldogs.
Jaguars Gambled On Walker’s Potential Over Immediate Production
Walker only recorded 13 sacks in three seasons for the Bulldogs, 7.5 of which were during Georgia’s run to the 2022 national championship. His natural talent was undeniable, but his production paled in comparison to Hutchinson’s 14 sacks during the same season for the Michigan Wolverines. The Jaguars desperately needed a productive pass rusher and decided to gamble on Walker’s potential. The decision seemed to boil down to his high ceiling versus Hutchinson’s substantially higher floor as a prospect.
Walker only produced 3.5 sacks, which was not an instrumental piece of the puzzle, as he only produced three and a half sacks during his rookie season. Hutchinson finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and recorded 9.5 sacks for the resurgent Detroit Lions, who nearly made the NFC playoffs. He emerged as the unquestioned leader of the Lions’ defense. The Jaguars’ selection of Walker was not lauded as a success after his first season. Especially when Gardner, the fourth defensive selection of the 2021 NFL Draft, won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was lauded as a generational talent at cornerback.
Walker Steps Up In 2023 To Justify First In-Class Status
After the 2022 season, whispers started to circulate that the Jaguars had made another mistake in the first round by taking Walker. The former number-one overall draft pick did not flash enough of the potential that drew Jacksonville to him in his rookie season. All of that changed when Walker stepped onto the field in 2023. He was much more comfortable with his role on the Jaguars defense, and the light switch went on for the second-year pro. Walker produced 10 sacks in his second season.
The 9-8 Jaguars missed the playoffs but had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 2004 and 2005 campaigns. If Walker and the Jaguars can find a way to post a third winning season in a row, it will be just the second time in franchise history. Josh Hines-Allen and Walker’s 27.5 combined sacks were a big part of that success, and the best may be yet to come for the talented tandem.
Another Big Leap By Walker Could Produce Historic Results
If Walker takes another step forward as a pass rusher and fulfills his enormous upside, the Jaguars could have the best pass-rushing tandem in the NFL. Jacksonville has an embarrassment of riches on the offensive side of the football with Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr, Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr, and fantasy darling Evan Engram. The defense does not have to be great, but if the Jaguars’ former first-overall pick is this season, the AFC South might not belong to the Houston Texans.
Jacksonville posted four consecutive winning seasons and appeared in two AFC Championship games from 1996-1999. That team holds the franchise record for sustained success. Four seasons might seem like a low bar compared to NFL royalty, like the Kansas City Chiefs or their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Walker and Lawrence have a short road to travel to become the best team in franchise history. But the 2024 Jaguars must continue the journey, and they can take another step toward franchise history this season.
Final Thoughts
What do you think, Total Apex sports fans? Can Walker cement himself at the top of the class with another double-digit sack season in 2024? Do you think there is any way that he can surpass Hutchinson as the best lineman in the class or maybe even catch Gardner as the best defender? Let me hear it! Please comment below or on X: @thebubbasq.
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