While the Jaguars' performance in the second half on Sunday against the Dolphins left much to be desired, several vital takeaways engendered optimism for the Duval faithful.
Let's delve into Travon Walker's performance and the promising development he's shown in year three. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft is developing into the player that scouts and general managers believed he was capable of during the pre-draft process.
In his rookie season, Walker totaled 49 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in 15 games.
Last year, in 2023, Walker took a huge step forward. In 17 games, he racked up 52 tackles, a fumble recovery, and ten sacks.
Fast-forward to this past Sunday. Walker showed up. He finished the afternoon with six tackles and two sacks, making it his second career start with two or more sacks. That now marks seven sacks in his last five starts.
According to ESPN Analytics, per Daniel Griffis, his 54% run-stop win rate led all EDGE players in Week 1 of the NFL. This is exceptional performance, considering he saw the highest double-team rate at 46%. It is a testament to his skill and potential as a perennial pro-bowl caliber player.
The Jaguars' defensive trenches will continue to be their strength. With Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen on the edge and newly acquired Arik Armstead on the inside, this unit will be a problem for the opposing offensive line.
Seeing Travon Walker's development is exciting, especially within the new defensive scheme Ryan Nielsen brought over from Atlanta; the tape shows that the third-year former No. 1 overall pick is comfortable and confident in the positions the coaching staff is putting him in.
Could a pro bowl season be in store for Travon Walker in year three?
The Jaguars return home to Duval for a Week 2 matchup with the Cleveland Browns at 1:00 PM EST.