It’s NFL draft day, and the New York Jets are preparing for a number of different scenarios that could hit them by the time they are on the clock with the seventh overall pick.
Among the many scenarios, the Jets could target the best pass catcher in the class, the top offensive lineman, or even one of the better defensive weapons.
If the team were to move to the defensive side of the ball with their seventh pick, Georgia’s Jalon Walker is an intriguing option for them. And his NFL comp may be too good to pass up.
Micah Parsons Draws Jets Draft Comp
At first glance, Walker’s 6-foot-1, 243-pound frame will draw comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher and former Georgia teammate Nolan Smith Jr.
Lance Zuerlein of NFL Network said as much when he broke down Walker’s tape and reviewed his strengths and weaknesses.
“He’s tough but small as an early down edge rusher, but his athletic talent and suddenness to attack both edges makes him a menace for tackles,” Zuerlein said. “The most valuable usage for Walker is likely to come as an early down linebacker who can rush off the edge or match up across the line as a blitzer on passing downs.”
But wait! Are we sure Smith is the best comp for Walker?
One of the great things about Walker is that he took the majority of his reps (60%) as an off-ball linebacker. New York may not currently need an off-ball linebacker, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a welcome addition.
And if Walker’s work as a hybrid linebacker and edge rusher (40% of his reps) shows anything, it’s that his play could mirror that of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons more than any other player.
Chosen with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Parsons fell due to a number of off-field concerns. The Cowboys started him as an off-ball linebacker, but quickly moved him into a hybrid edge rusher once they realized how formidable he was in that role.
Parsons has recorded 52.5 sacks in four seasons with the team, and hasn’t had a season with fewer than 12 sacks yet.
Dallas was able to create a role for Parsons, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. He carries a very similar frame to Walker. If the Jets feel that drafting the Georgia standout will give them another Parsons, that is only half the battle.
They would need to get creative in how they deploy Walker – just as the Cowboys have been with Parsons.
Walker may have played the majority of his college snaps off the ball, but he displayed tremendous pass-rush upside in his limited opportunities. With fewer than 200 pass-rush opportunities in 2024, Walker registered 6.5 sacks and 34 total pressures.
Few defensive players have been as dominant as Parsons over the last four seasons. He has laid the foundation for players with similar hybrid skill sets to follow in his footsteps.
If an organization like the Jets believes Walker has similar intangibles to Parsons, it could prompt them to take a flier on him.
We’ll know more in just a few hours at this point, though.
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