FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Jalon Walker's name wasn't expected to still be on the board when the Falcons came on the clock at pick No. 15 in April's NFL draft, but they are sure happy it was.
Viewed by most in the draft community as a top-10 pick, Walker offers tantalizing athletic versatility and standout leadership qualities. Despite starting for only one season at the University of Georgia, Walker's potential both on and off the field is clear and already grabbing the attention of Atlanta's coaching staff.
"He knows how to practice at a very high level," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "He wants to get better and better every single day, and he seems like he does. He's an instant coach. ... You just tell him something, and he does it the first time every single time. He goes out and is able to get that stuff done. So, that stuff has been absolutely amazing and awesome with him."
Walker played a hybrid role for Georgia in 2024, finishing as the team leader in sacks (6.5), quarterback pressures (34), pass rush win rate (17.2%) and tackles for a loss (11). A self-described chess piece, Walker was all over the field for the Bulldogs and emerged as their premier defender.
He'll start his NFL career in a simpler role. An improved pass rush would mean more for Atlanta's defense than arguably any other improvement in a single facet of the game, and that is how they plan to use Walker in Year 1.
The Falcons have invested in their defense this offseason, especially through the draft. Including Walker, Atlanta used the first four of its five draft picks on defenders. It traded back into the first round to select James Pearce Jr., who the team believes can also be an impact pass rusher.
"Both very young pass rushers, but I think part of the stuff that we will do schematically will lessen that burden," defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. "And because of that, I think they'll have maybe a little bit more success early on than they would have otherwise."
All four of the Falcons' rookie defenders — Walker, Pearce, Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. — could carve out a noteworthy role in Year 1. In that reality, Walker's leadership traits should continue to pay dividends. As he earns the opportunity for a larger voice within the entire locker room, there's an avenue for him to concentrate on galvanizing his fellow first-years.
There's a reason Walker earned the respect he did at a football factory like Georgia, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that his work habits are gaining attention. The demands on Atlanta's players, particularly the rookies, aren't particularly high right now, but Walker has been earning reps with the second-team defense and seems to be acclimating nicely to the next level.
"You've got to be able to go out there and find ways to get better at different tempos," Morris explained. "That's a part of what's going on right now with the player education and how they practice, how you slow it down, how you work together.
"Nobody wants to see one guy going full speed, one guy kind of going at the correct tempo and not looking how you're supposed to want to look. So, it's finding a happy medium for all those guys to figure out how we practice, how we move, how we do our things, and how we go about our business."
As a visual learner, Walker says note-taking is the primary way he likes to learn. This allows him to absorb the information, process it and ask questions before implementing what's been asked of him out on the field. Although he only spent one season as a starter, Walker spent three years in the Georgia ecosystem perfecting the habits he began as the son of a coach many years prior.
Those habits are now helping Walker make a good first impression and establish the foundation for an important season to come.
"He goes out and is able to get that stuff done," Morris said. "So that stuff has been absolutely amazing and awesome with him. I look forward, really, with all those guys, but particularly him. He's very easy to coach."
Take a look at our favorite photos from the practice fields as the Atlanta Falcons start phase three of the offseason program at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 and Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus #54 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offense and defense face off during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #4 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks #84 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair #19 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Divine Deablo #0 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #4 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dontae Manning #41 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Keith Taylor #39 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods #42 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons huddle during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during a Phase three practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
