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5 hours ago
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The Atlanta Falcons may have gotten a steal with the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
They took linebacker Jalon Walker out of Georgia.
Just by the projections, it was a bit of a slide for Walker, who was ranked No. 10 by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. on his big board.
And then when you consider who Louis Riddick compared him to, it was an even larger bargain.
Riddick said on ESPN's broadcast that Walker reminds him of James Harrison.
Harrison, of course, had the longest interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl history and was a pass-rushing monster for the Steelers.
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In 2024 for Georgia, Walker had 6.5 sacks and 11 total tackles for loss.
He's the first Georgia player taken in the first or second round by the Falcons in 29 years.
It's a cool chance to stay home for Walker, who comes to a team featuring a second-year QB in Michael Penix Jr.
The NFC South is as wide open as any division in football, so a dominant defender like Walker could make a huge difference in the playoff picture.
The Falcons were in some discussions a possible trade-up candidate as high as No. 7, with that being expected as a chance to actually land Walker.
Instead, Atlanta didn't move and still got its guy from right down the road in Athens.
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