With the 9th overall pick in the 2025 Bleeding Green Nation community mock draft, New Orleans Saints GM FierceDisc65 selects …
Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Prospect Profile
Jalon Walker – LB/Edge – Georgia
Height 6-1
Weight 243
Arm Length 32”
Athletic testing unavailable due to injury sustained prior to Combine
2022: Played in all 15 games as a reserve
2023: Led team with 5 sacks. Played in all 14 games as a rotational rusher
2024: Won the Butkus Award (nation’s top LB). Led team with 11 TFLs. Tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. Fourth in tackles (60). Played in all 14 games with 11 starts
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. This pick is very much a reflection of my lack of faith in Shedeur Sanders as an NFL QB. To me, he profiles as a win with rather than a win because of QB and we’ve already seen the Saints ceiling (9-8) with that type of player (Derek Carr).
Instead I would much rather take a bit of a risk on a player with tremendous upside in 2024 Butkus Award winner Jalon Walker. Another member of Georgia’s seemingly endless pipeline of freakish front 7 players. Because of this embarrassment of riches on UGA’s defense 2024 was Walker’s first year as a full time starter. However, he immediately made his presence felt, racking up 11 TFLs and 6.5 sacks (both led the team) whilst playing at both inside and outside linebacker. His quick twitch athleticism and nose for the football made him a menace wherever he lined up for the Bulldogs particularly when headed downhill. This versatility is intriguing with both Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan both likely entering their last seasons as Saints. Not only can he help replace the void left by those 2 on the field, but off it as well with the team captain’s leadership abilities being raved about by fellow Georgia players.
One knock against him is that he lacks the prototypical size of an NFL edge rusher but the good news is his new DC is a Fangio disciple Brandon Staley and we’ve seen undersized twitchy linebackers have success in that style of defense in recent memory (I.E. Nolan Smith and Haason Reddick).
When considering Walker’s ceiling and the success of virtually every Bulldogs defender of the last 5 years, this pick is a no brainer for me.
2025 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Titans (JoeDirtsBarber): Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
2) Browns (kjb304): Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
3) Giants (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop): Cam Ward, QB, Miami
4) Patriots (ReginaldHtower): Will Campbell, OT, LSU
5) Jaguars (eaglenomics): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
6) Raiders (dkays): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
7) Jets (Stick19154): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
8) Panthers (89Tremaine): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
9) Saints (FierceDisc65): Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
10) Bears (DrprofBubbles)
11) 49ers (granthill7)
12) Cowboys (Be subpar for Ja’Marr)
13) Dolphins (thehead92)
14) Colts (green1us)
15) Falcons (All_Hail_Howie)
16) Cardinals (Good Bad Ideas)
17) Bengals (ablesser88)
18) Seahawks (herbalonius)
19) Buccaneers (Hoosinole)
20) Broncos (Silverlark60)
21) Steelers (Dr.MidnightGreen)
22) Chargers (LancGuy)
23) Packers (Leo Bedio)
24) Vikings (krikkebelgium)
25) Texans (Aint1stULast)
26) Rams (Booth12)
27) Ravens (pheebthegoose)
28) Lions (Neil Dutton)
29) Commanders (Mailata_in_a_Miata)
30) Bills (PhilaWolverine)
31) Chiefs (niels.rosenquist)
32) Eagles (Philly21)
Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2025 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.
1) Titans: QB Cam Ward
2) Browns: EDGE Abdul Carter
3) Giants: WR/CB Travis Hunter
4) Patriots: OT Will Campbell
5) Jaguars: DT Mason Graham
6) Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty
7) Jets: OT Armand Membou
8) Panthers: CB Will Johnson
9) Saints:
