Travon Walker nearly tripled his 3.5 rookie season sack count with 10 in 2023. Could he be in for an even bigger year in 2024?
CBS analyst Josh Edwards thinks it’s possible, especially considering Jacksonville’s addition of Arik Armstead to its interior defensive line and the pass-rushing presence he offers, which should aid Walker and fellow starting Jaguars edge rusher, Joshua Hines-Allen.
Edwards named Walker to his 2024 All-Breakout team consisting only of players on their rookie contracts. He noted his analysis was “not to say all of them will reach All-Pro or even Pro Bowl distinction, but that they have an attainable higher level of play.”
Walker was paired with Baltimore’s Odafe Oweh at the edge rusher position.
Walker took his pressure rate up three percentage points and did a better job of finishing plays in a year. The presence of Josh Allen on the opposite side, plus the infusion of veteran defensive tackle Arik Armstead should create even more one-on-one opportunities for the No. 1 overall pick this season. Another year of maturity in the system should lead to improved results.
Jacksonville’s No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft, Walker’s production was modest as a rookie as he recorded 42 tackles including for loss, one interception, two defended passes and one forced fumble, in addition to his 3.5 sacks.
He took a big step forward as an NFL sophomore, though, doubling his tackles-for-loss count with 10 and increasing his quarterback pressure count by 16, according to Pro Football Focus, with 59 in 2023 compared to 43 in 2022.
Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd was an honorable mention at his position on Edwards’ All-Breakout team, behind Buffalo’s Terrel Bernard and Houston’s Christian Harris and alongside Baltimore’s Malik Harrison, Washington’s Jamin Davis and the New York Giants’ Micah McFadden.
Lloyd has accumulated 242 total tackles with two for loss, three interceptions, 15 defended passes and four fumble recoveries in two seasons with the Jaguars, including a career-high 127 tackles last year.