Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles had some favorite players in the 2025 NFL draft that he would’ve liked to have on his team. But with many teams competing for the best talent, coaches sometimes have to watch as top players end up with other franchises.
Linebacker Jalon Walker, the Atlanta Falcons’ 15th pick, is one of those players.
The Bucs face the Falcons in their 2025 season opener next Sunday. During Monday morning’s media availability, Bowles shared his thoughts on the Falcons’ rookie pass rushers and revealed that Walker was one of his favorite players from the draft.
The Falcons had also selected another linebacker, James Pearce Jr. (26th pick) in the same draft.
“They bring a lot of speed,” Bowles said, according to Bucs reporter Brianna Dix. “Pearce was a heck of a pass rusher in college and he could really run. I saw Walker a few times myself and he was one of my favorite players in the draft coming out and he is really multi-faceted.
“He can do a lot of things for them outside and inside. He plays with a high motor and he is a high-character guy. Great leadership so between the two of them, they really infused themselves with two young pass rushers.”
Walker played a hybrid role at Georgia, contributing as an inside linebacker, outside linebacker and edge rusher. According to Brianna Dix, Walker, who led the Bulldogs in pressures (34) and pass rush win percentage (17.2) in 2024, “possesses outstanding change-of-direction abilities and explodes downhill to collapse the pocket.”
Come for the trash talk, stay for the @JalonWlaker cameo 🤣 pic.twitter.com/aHJyp2Bk2q
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 30, 2025
Taking two linebackers in the first round was a statement from the Falcons. In April, after the draft, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said the organization’s ultimate aim was to “make an impact on the team.” And that’s exactly what they did.
On Sunday, Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers should keep an eye on the dynamic pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. They are going to be a problem for the offense.
