For the second straight spring, the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars -- attempting to rebuild in a now-loaded conference -- possess the first-overall pick in the NFL Draft. In 2021, the franchise didn't need too much time to make the selection. Clemson star Trevor Lawrence was the consensus top pick, and arguably the league's best quarterback prospect in a decade.
This year, the Jaguars can travel in several different directions, sitting atop the board. With no clear-cut favorite player across the NFL's most reputable mock drafts, projections are wide-ranging. And at this time, Georgia standout edge-rusher Travon Walker is considered a frontrunner to hear his name announced first on Thursday in Las Vegas. But there are questions about Walker's on-field skillset, and Bleacher Report analyst Connor Rogers has his reservations.
"When you look at Travon Walker, and I do think he's going to go first overall to Jacksonville, it's a projection. You're projecting everything," Rogers explained to The DA Show on Wednesday. "I've never seen a projected No. 1 overall pick like this in my entire life. It's crazy. He's never had a double-digit sack season. He's coming off his breakout year, around six sacks. And he's a high-floor run defender. But the pass-rush plan, it doesn't exist. He's all power...
"Georgia was the best defense in the nation by a country mile. When you look at all the talent around him, things should've been easy for him... I like Walker, as a player. And I have no problem with someone taking him in the first round. He's going to come in, stop the run. He's a great athlete, good size. But I'd be really surprised if, in the next two to three years, he develops into a top-flight pass-rusher. If you're taking him first, that's exactly what you're saying he is."
Walker, who's listed at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, is currently the fourth-ranked defensive end and 12th overall prospect on the Pro Football Focus big board. In three seasons with the powerhouse Bulldogs, the 21-year-old recorded 65 total tackles (34 solo) with 9.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 36 hurries over 30 games. In the CFP national championship against Alabama this past winter, Walker had a career-high seven pressures, displaying his strength on the line.
The Jaguars need help at several critical positions. Last season, they ranked dead last in the league in average points scored (14.9), 27th in average yards (305.4), and tied for 31st in giveaways (29). As for their defense, they ranked 28th in average points (26.9), 20th in yards (353.1), and last in takeaways (9). The opening round of the 2022 draft will begin this Thursday (8 p.m. ET).
The entire NFL Draft conversation between Rogers and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The DA Show on Twitter @DAonCBS and @CBSSportsRadio, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.