Forecasting the top three destinations for Georgia OLB Jalon Walker in the 2025 NFL Draft with the Carolina Panthers

The NFL Draft is a cornerstone of professional football, a time when teams retool their rosters for the future. For college athletes, it represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and performance on the field. One of the most highly anticipated prospects heading into the 2025 NFL Draft is Jalon Walker, an outside linebacker from the University of Georgia.

Walker, a dynamic playmaker on Georgia’s stout defense, has garnered significant attention for his ability to rush the passer, drop into coverage, and make game-changing plays. His explosive athleticism, combined with his high football IQ and leadership on the field, makes him one of the top defensive prospects for the 2025 draft class.

As we forecast Walker’s potential destinations, three teams emerge as prime candidates for selecting him, including one with a particularly strong need for a player of his skill set: the Carolina Panthers. Let’s break down the top three destinations for Jalon Walker in the 2025 NFL Draft, analyzing both his fit with these teams and their roster needs.

1. Carolina Panthers: The Ideal Match for Jalon Walker’s Versatility

Team Need: The Carolina Panthers are in the midst of a rebuilding process, particularly on defense. With a young quarterback in Bryce Young under center, the Panthers’ defensive front is a key area for improvement. Over the past few seasons, the Panthers’ pass rush has been inconsistent, and their linebacker corps, while solid, could use an infusion of talent. Adding someone like Jalon Walker, who can provide versatility both as a pass rusher and a coverage linebacker, would be a game-changer.

Why Walker Fits:
Walker would be an ideal fit for the Panthers, who need an edge rusher with the ability to impact all three levels of the defense. His physical attributes, including his 6’3” frame, athleticism, and burst, make him a potential game-changer in both the pass rush and against the run. Walker’s ability to drop into coverage and work in space makes him a perfect candidate for the Panthers, who need to solidify their linebacker unit with a versatile player who can contribute in multiple roles.

Under head coach Frank Reich, the Panthers are likely to focus on building a balanced, hard-nosed defense that can control the line of scrimmage. Walker’s ability to disrupt quarterbacks and cover running backs and tight ends out of the backfield would make him an essential piece in their defensive scheme. Additionally, the Panthers could look to pair him with young defensive stars like Brian Burns to form a formidable front-seven.

Scheme Fit: The Panthers’ defense, coordinated by Ejiro Evero, operates under a 3-4 base defense, which typically uses outside linebackers who can rush the passer but also have the ability to drop back into coverage. Walker fits that mold perfectly. His blend of size and speed allows him to do damage as a pass rusher, but his high football IQ makes him more than just a one-dimensional player. Walker’s ability to adapt in different defensive schemes, including blitz packages, would make him an immediate contributor to Evero’s defense.

Moreover, Carolina’s defensive needs could create the perfect opportunity for Walker to make an immediate impact. He could come in and become a three-down linebacker, someone who plays the run, defends in pass coverage, and provides pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Why This Makes Sense:

• Pass Rush Needs: The Panthers have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks in recent years. Walker’s ability to line up on the edge or in a traditional linebacker position would add an element of speed and power that could immediately boost Carolina’s pass rush.
• Leadership & Development: Walker would bring leadership to a Panthers defense that needs someone to set the tone. His experience at Georgia, where he played under a legendary coaching staff and participated in championship-caliber defenses, would translate well in helping guide younger players on the roster.
• Fit with Current Roster: Pairing him with rising defensive stars like Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn would allow Walker to thrive and grow, as the Panthers are beginning to form a strong defensive foundation.

Projected Draft Position: If Walker continues to show the talent and development expected from him in the 2024 college season, the Panthers could target him as a first-round pick, possibly even as early as the top 10 picks.

2. Chicago Bears: Rebuilding a Defense Around Youth and Athleticism

Team Need: The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a rebuild with new leadership under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. While the team has made strides offensively, the defense remains a glaring weakness, especially when it comes to generating pressure on the quarterback. The Bears have an aging front-seven and need to invest in athletic, versatile players who can lead the defense into a new era. A player like Jalon Walker, who can impact the game in so many ways, would be a major asset in Chicago’s long-term rebuild.

Why Walker Fits:
Chicago has struggled to consistently disrupt the quarterback and has lacked a dominant linebacker who can play on all three downs. Adding Jalon Walker would immediately address this issue, providing the Bears with a linebacker who can cover sideline-to-sideline, rush the passer, and make tackles in the backfield. Walker’s combination of size, speed, and smarts makes him a player who could fit seamlessly into Eberflus’ 4-3 defensive scheme, where linebackers need to be agile, fast, and versatile.

Walker would give Chicago the kind of linebacker they haven’t had in years: someone who can play multiple positions, change the pace of a game, and contribute immediately. His ability to come off the edge as a pass rusher or drop into coverage to cover tight ends, running backs, or wide receivers would give the Bears a unique weapon they can deploy in various situations.

Scheme Fit: The Bears’ 4-3 defensive scheme places a heavy emphasis on getting after the quarterback and generating pressure from the linebacker position. Walker’s ability to play as a traditional linebacker in a 4-3 alignment or as an edge rusher in certain packages would make him a perfect fit. He would immediately be able to come in and start as an every-down linebacker, handling both the responsibilities of rushing the passer and playing in coverage.

Why This Makes Sense:

• Pass Rush Needs: The Bears are desperate for a pass rusher who can make an impact on a consistent basis. Walker’s ability to rush the passer as an edge linebacker would fill a major gap.
• Youth Movement: With a young core of players, the Bears are focused on developing talent for the long haul. Walker, with his blend of athleticism, versatility, and leadership, fits this vision.
• Defensive Overhaul: Eberflus’ defense requires linebackers who can do more than just defend the run. Walker’s versatility and ability to play multiple roles would give the Bears exactly what they need to rebuild their defense.

Projected Draft Position: Walker could be a prime candidate for the top 15 picks, with the Bears looking to invest in defense early to build around young talent like Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon.

3. Los Angeles Chargers: Pairing Walker with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack

Team Need: The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, led by Justin Herbert, but the team has struggled defensively, especially when it comes to generating pressure on quarterbacks. The Chargers’ pass rush, while solid with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, could use another dynamic linebacker to help bolster their efforts, especially against elite offenses. The team also needs a linebacker who can cover tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks out of the backfield.

Why Walker Fits:
Jalon Walker’s versatility as a pass rusher, linebacker, and coverage defender makes him a perfect fit for the Chargers. In their 3-4 defensive scheme, Walker could come off the edge alongside Bosa and Mack, providing a triple-threat pass-rushing trio that could dominate opposing offensive lines. Additionally, Walker’s ability to drop into coverage on passing downs would allow him to complement Derwin James and other defensive backs, giving the Chargers the athleticism and flexibility they need.

The Chargers have invested heavily in their defense in recent years, and adding someone with Walker’s talent would complete the package. His physicality and athleticism would provide them with a versatile piece they could use in various defensive looks. Walker would immediately make an impact on a defense that has potential but needs another playmaker to be truly elite.

Scheme Fit: In the Chargers’ 3-4 system, outside linebackers are expected to be versatile and aggressive. Walker has the speed and strength to line up as an outside linebacker, rush the quarterback, or play in coverage. Pairing him with Bosa and Mack would create an incredibly dangerous pass rush, while Walker’s ability to contribute on every down would allow the defense to create mismatches and force turnovers.

Why This Makes Sense:

• Elite Pass Rush: With Bosa and Mack already in place, adding a versatile player like Walker would give the Chargers a terrifying edge rush that could wreak havoc on any quarterback.
• Coverage Ability: Walker’s ability to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield would help the Chargers improve in pass coverage, particularly in the middle of the field.
• Long-Term Stability: Adding Walker would provide long-term stability to the Chargers

’ defense, with a young, talented linebacker who could play at a high level for many years.

Projected Draft Position: With a talent like Walker, the Chargers could target him in the top 15 to 20 picks, especially if they are focused on bolstering their pass rush and linebacking corps.