FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Jalon Walker is by no means a one-trick pony.
The Atlanta Falcons, however, have decided the No. 15 overall draft pick will focus on one aspect of his game rather than immediately tapping into his versatility. That's why he has been placed solely in the edge rushers' room — for now. This decision was shared by defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, even before the three-day rookie minicamp last week when Walker made his practice debut in a Falcons uniform.
"On first and second down, I want, especially Jalon, to really have an opportunity to just master playing on the edge because I think that there's something there that's really special," Ulbrich said during the draft. "Give him an opportunity just to have one home initially and become as good as he can at that. Then, from a third-down perspective, we can get creative with him, and that'll be part of his superpower."
It's an interesting decision because Walker's versatility was a big reason the Falcons used their top draft pick to bring him in house. That trait was the first thing both head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot applauded at the end of Round 1.
"The kid's makeup, obviously, is unique (with) all the things he can do, all the places he can rush from," Morris said. "Obviously, he's an off-the-ball backer, he's an on-the-ball backer. … I mean, there's not a whole lot that he can't do."
Said Fontenot: "The way you can move him around and do a lot of different things. He can play stack, he can play off the edge, he can rush inside. He can do so many different things."
Ulbrich's decision, though, makes sense. There is a learning curve associated with any position, let alone one that embraces versatility. Starting off with one aspect of the role could make for an easier transition and allow Walker to focus on the area where he can be most beneficial for Atlanta's defense.
Join the Atlanta Falcons on the practice fields as they put in the work at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga.
The Falcons bolstered their defensive front this offseason with a variety players who have a proven history of rushing the passer. Along with Walker, Atlanta gained another rookie edger rusher in Jalon Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 overall draft pick; he'll have rollout plan similar to Walker. The Falcons also added a veteran edge rusher in Leonard Floyd through free agency. Veteran defensive lineman Morgan Fox fits into this box from free agency, too, despite being from a different position group.
Those four join a defense that retained outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, insider linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive lineman David Onyemata, who all had multiple sacks in 2024.
Basically, there's an unfamiliar pass-rush depth now in Atlanta that means there's no need to push Walker too soon.
"You really have to be careful with a guy like him," inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud said. "Because he is so versatile and he's done so many things that it's cool to see. But at the same time, the more he moves around, it changes what other people are doing as well. We obviously love the versatility in his game, and he's going to move around at some point I am sure, but it is also important for us to give him a home base to start out with. Because that is a theme for our whole defense. How many techniques can we get really good at?"
And that's the goal: becoming really good at one thing at a time rather than attempting to improve in multiple disciplines all at once.
Besides, Walker is only 21 years old with what the Falcons hope is a long and prosperous career ahead of him in Atlanta. There's a lot of time for him to become really good – possibly great – in all the areas that make him versatile. Possibly in 2025 alone.
"I love that," Walker said. "Good with me. I'm excited to embrace that role of just being on the edge for this upcoming season. Of course, there could be more room to improve and expand roles."
