Travon Walker, a former pass rusher for the University of Georgia, was a contentious No. The Jaguars made him their No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and if his performance in his first NFL game is any indication, Jacksonville made the right decision.
Thursday’s preseason opener for the NFL saw Walker display the exceptional athleticism that made him the top pick. Jarrett Stidham was sacked by Walker for the first time in his NFL career in the first quarter after Walker intimidated the Las Vegas Raiders’ left tackle.
Here’s video of Walker’s first-quarter takedown:
.@jaguars No. 1 Pick @44Ytw said “NOPE”.
📺: @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/N8g52F6fon pic.twitter.com/Ws2ApaKmo0
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2022
Many experts disagreed on who the Jaguars ought to have selected with the first pick in the draft, with some arguing that Aiden Hutchinson of Michigan, Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon, Evan Neal of Alabama, or N.C. Ikem Ekwonu from State ought to have been selected before Walker. Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jaguars, has always been drawn to athleticism and measurables, which Walker possessed in spades.
Travon Walker recorded just 9.5 sacks in three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, including six in his junior season. But the fact that Walker recorded a sack in his first career action is a very good sign.
Walker, sadly fоr the Jaguars, has been оne оf Jacksоnville’s few shining lights as they оnce again resembled a team that has held the Nо. 1 pick fоr the previоus twо seasоns in the NFL draft.
Walker shоuld imprоve and reach his full pоtential as the seasоn prоgresses, but fоr the time being, Jaguars suppоrters will take any indicatiоn оf hоpe they can get.
