Eagles predicted to tap into Georgia Bulldogs pipeline, land star EDGE in NFL Draft

Howie Roseman has a track record of success when drafting players from Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs football program.

The Philadelphia Eagles have had more Georgia players on their roster of any NFL team for two years running. The Big 3 — Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith — are frequently lumped together as recent first-round selections. Nakobe Dean, a third-round pick in 2022, is in the midst of a breakout season, and reserve cornerback Kelee Ringo, a fourth-rounder in 2023, gives the Eagles five former Bulldogs on the 53-man roster. They actually have a sixth, with undrafted wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint currently stashed on the practice squad. 

Could Roseman tap back into his firmly established Georgia Bulldogs pipeline this coming April?

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News recently predicted Philly taking star Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Here was his take on the potential move:

“Walker would continue the fine haul from Kirby Smith's Bulldogs defense, with Jalen Carter and Nakobe Dean being the latest revelations. Walker can boost their pass rush, but he also has the versatility to line up on the second level to help vs. the run and in coverage.” — Iyer 

This presents a fun hypothetical for the Eagles, and not just because of the nickname potential with Jalen, Jalon and Jordan along the defensive line.

Walker is somewhat similar to Cooper DeJean, in that his exact role likely wouldn’t be defined at the start of training camp. Kyle Crabbs of the 33rd Team went a bit deeper this week with this scouting report:

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker has a number of pathways to playing time. He’s a viable stack linebacker on early downs who has illustrated excellent pass-rush capabilities from both an off-ball alignment and on the edge of the defense. Walker is built thick, has heavy hands, and booming pads that create good block deconstruction opportunities in the heart of the box. He’s got excellent linear burst and effective lateral redirection ability to pick his way through traffic and pursue the football. Walker exploded on the scene this year as a featured weapon for the Bulldogs as a junior, which makes his potential long-term outlook all that much more exciting given his instincts relative to the room he still has to grow.

Given Philly’s need at pass rusher, with Brandon Graham nearing retirement and Bryce Huff providing zero return on investment, drafting a player with Walker’s upside would get Eagles and Bulldogs fans fired up once again.

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