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NFL Draft: Prospects who should tumble down New York Giants’ board

By Zak Musso

Last-minute work is done on the giant stage before the start of the 2019 NFL Draft on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 25, 2019.Mjz9954
Last-minute work is done on the giant stage before the start of the 2019 NFL Draft on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 25, 2019.Mjz9954 /
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New York Giants
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) is pressured by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Quay Walker (7) and defensive lineman Travon Walker (Mandatory Credit: Joshua Bickel-USA TODAY Sports) /

Georgia EDGE Travon Walker

Just two months ago, it was questionable whether Travon Walker would be a first-round pick.

Now, according to FanDuel, Walker has the second-best odds to be the number one pick in the draft.

Walker, a defensive end out of Georgia, was part of the loaded, 2021 National Championship winning, Georgia Bulldog defense that included likely first round picks, defensive tackle Jordan Davis, defensive end Devontae Wyatt, and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker.

Much of this new Walker buzz is due to his outstanding combine performance, running a 4.51 40-yard dash, third best among defensive ends, and a ridiculous speed for a 6′ 5″, 275 pounder.

While Walker’s measurables are outstanding, his production in college was not on par with fellow projected first round star pass rushers. Walker, with just 9.5 sacks and 65 tackles in college, falls far behind other projected top10 pick pass rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux (19 sacks, 122 tackles) and Aidan Hutchinson (18.5 sacks, 155 tackles). In 2021, PFF gave Walker’s season an overall grade of 71.4, a long way away from Thibodeaux’s 84.0, and Hutchinson’s 94.5.

New Giants defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale, loves to leave his corners on islands which puts immense pressure on his pass rushers to get to the quarterback. Walker, who does not have a long history of getting home to the quarterback, may not be a good fit for the Giants.

While Walker is bigger and has less tread on his tires than his passing rushing counterparts, his draft stock is rising higher than it deserves. With pass rusher being such a dire need for the Giants, I would be very concerned with drafting Walker just off his measurables and ignore his lack of production.

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