Theres a reason Walker earned the respect he did at a football factory like Georgia, so it shouldnt come as a surprise that his work habits are gaining attention with the Falcons.

Will McFadden

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, andthat 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 Walkerearned the respect he didat 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."

Up Next

Videos

A.J. Terrell Jr. & Divine Deablo are hyped about new-look defense | Press Conferences

Videos

Bijan Robinson, Drake London & others speak on building offensive weapons in OTAs | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Raheem Morris excited for the effort & work out on field during OTAs| Press Conference

Videos

On the Rise | S5E3 | Bright Futures Begin for Atlanta Falcons 2025 Rookie Class

Videos

Falcons kick off OTAs + Deep dive into realistic rookie expectations | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Jessie Bates III, Kaden Elliss & other defensive Falcons reflect on first practice of 2025 OTAs

Videos

Michael Penix Jr., Darnell Mooney & others speak with media following the first practice of OTAs

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris OTAs Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

D.J. Williams, T.J. Yates & others speak on exciting future for Falcons' offense | Press Conference

Videos

Jerry Gray, Nate Ollie & other Atlanta Falcons defensive coaches speak with media | Press Conference

Videos

Georgia Girls Flag Football / House Resolution 347 Celebration

Videos

Marquice Williams, Zac Robinson & Jeff Ulbrich give updates on offseason program | Press Conferences

Videos

Atlanta Falcons open up OTAs at Flowery Branch training facility | Highlights | NFL

Videos

Breaking down EVERY game of the 2025 Atlanta Falcons schedule | NFL Schedule Release

Videos

Welcome to ATL Kart | Schedule Release 2025

Videos

It's finally HERE! Full Falcons schedule deep dive, hardest stretch & more | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Atlanta Falcons Rookie minicamp highlights | First look at 2025 Draft Class | NFL

Videos

Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. & other Atlanta Falcons excited to get to work on field | 2025 Rookie Minicamp

Videos

Raheem Morris excited to kick off the 2025 Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp | Press Conference

Videos

On the Rise | S5E2 | All Access look into the Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft | NFL

Videos

Atlanta Falcons 2025 rookies arrive to rookie minicamp

Videos

"Juice", Cam Newton & video game bounties: James Pearce Jr. joins Falcons in Focus

Videos

The Tin Man, telepathy & the perfect podcasting voice: Jalon Walker joins Falcons in Focus

Videos

Jerry Gray, Atlanta Falcons defensive staff speak after the 2025 NFL Draft | Press Conferences

Videos

Zac Robinson, T.J. Yates, Kevin Koger & other offensive coaches speak with media | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Jeff Ulbrich addresses data breach and Shedeur Sanders prank call

Videos

Assistant General Manager Kyle Smith Post-Draft Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Falcons draft grades, reacting to each pick & breaking down each player | Falcons Audible Podcast

Videos

2025 Undrafted Free Agent highlights

Videos

Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. arrive in Atlanta | 2025 NFL Draft

Videos

How the Atlanta Falcons nailed the 2025 NFL draft: full draft class review | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Why the Atlanta Falcons selected Offensive Tackle Jack Nelson | 2025 NFL Draft

Videos

Jack Nelson gets the phone call | 2025 NFL Draft

Videos

Jack Nelson is ready to get to work with the Atlanta Falcons | 2025 NFL Draft | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Jack Nelson is excited to come to the South, get to work in Atlanta | Press Conference

Videos

Atlanta Falcons 2025 Draft Class College Highlights | NFL Draft

Videos

Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris Day Three Press Conference | 2025 NFL Draft | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Jack Nelson College Highlights | 2025 NFL Draft | Atlanta Falcons

Videos

Falcons select Jack Nelson with No. 218 pick in 2025 draft

Videos

Why the Atlanta Falcons selected Defensive Back Billy Bowman Jr. | 2025 NFL Draft