Walker may have been just a one-year starter for Kirby Smart, but his overall impact and playmaking ability makes him arguably the top edge rusher/linebacker not named Abdul Carter in this year’s class. Despite his smaller frame when compared to other edge rushers, Walker’s upside is exactly what he showed at Georgia: An ability to consistently put a quarterback under pressure.
How he fits with the Falcons: Call him an edge rusher. Call him a linebacker. Call him a hybrid of the two. Whatever you call him, just make sure you know to use the word “versatile” when describing his play, because that’s exactly what it is. Walker is the type of player defensive coordinators would love to move around the front-seven while putting creative rush plans together for him. This tracks for why the Falcons would want him seeing as what they’ve liked to do with Kaden Elliss in the past. For Walker, that’s a role that he values himself, saying he is at his best when he’s used as a chess piece. For the Falcons, continuing to unlock his potential in this way — as a hybrid, chess piece of sorts — could pay dividends for what the Falcons could do defensively. – Tori McElhaney