Jets, Saints In Mix For Jalon Walker; Panthers Remain High On LB

Recovering from a quad injury during the pre-draft process, Jalon Walker‘s stock has been climbing since his recent belated pro day. The Georgia linebacker seems a safe bet to become a top-10 pick.

Mentioned as a potential Patriots wild-card pick at No. 4 overall, Walker has not received as much buzz about a Foxborough destination compared to LSU tackle Will Campbell. If the Pats do end up filling their LT need at 4, it should not be expected Walker falls far. A few other top-10 teams are closely monitoring Georgia’s top 2025 prospect.

While Ashton Jeanty seems a safe bet not to fall past No. 6, as a run of Jaguars and Raiders rumors have circulated, Las Vegas has also been connected to bolstering its O-line at No. 6. A hybrid player who has operated as an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, Walker could conceivably be on the Raiders’ radar too. After all, this week represents is the smokescreen Super Bowl, but he is primarily being tied to the teams holding picks from Nos. 7-9.

The Panthers, who did not make a strong effort to replace Brian Burns last year, have probably been the team most closely linked to Walker. Although Carolina did not send a large contingent to Walker’s Athens pro day earlier this month, The Athletic’s Joe Person indicates NFL personnel believe Dan Morgan and Dave Canales remain high on the intriguing front-seven piece. It is possible, however, Walker fails to reach No. 8. The Jets have been tied to O-linemen or potentially Tyler Warren at No. 7, but ESPN.com’s Matt Miller projects them to draft Walker. While the team certainly needs more help on offense compared to defense, Miller points to the team eyeing an impact defender and culture fit — ahead of Aaron Glenn‘s first season in charge — in Round 1.

Considering the growing buzz on Walker, the Saints might need to look elsewhere at No. 9. But they are believed to be in on Walker as well, per NFL.com’s Jane Slater. New Orleans, however, has also done plenty of work on Michigan DT Mason Graham and Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Slater adds. Warren has also come up here, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Graham no longer looks likely to go to the Jaguars at 5, and while Michigan alums are now running the Raiders (which is something to monitor re: a D-tackle pick at 6), the player who has long been viewed as this draft’s top interior presence could fall toward the lower end of the top 10.

The Saints picked up Chris Olave‘s fifth-year option Wednesday, and they have Rashid Shaheed coming back from injury to join the returning Brandin Cooks. New Orleans has been on the radar for a first-round receiver in recent years, however.

The team also doled out a $10.25MM-per-year deal to retain Juwan Johnson, while Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill remain rostered at tight end. Hill, of course, roves around the formation and is now going into an age-35 season (and coming off an injury). Warren coming off a 1,200-yard season also has enticed teams; the Penn State tight end should not need to wait too long tonight.