2) Versatile defender planning to attend draft. There has been a lot of chatter about whether Georgia's Jalon Walker will fit better as an edge rusher or off-ball linebacker at the next level. He split his time almost evenly between the two spots during his college career and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top LB in 2024.

As for which spot Walker envisions playing in the NFL, he's not sure he'll have to choose between the two.

"I feel like I'm better at being that chess piece," he said. 'I feel like playing multiple positions and being an inside 'backer, outside 'backer and sometimes playing in the middle, that increased my value and increases the team value, as well, just because you never know where I'll be at for the game plan for that week."

Based on Walker's conversations here at the combine, it seems there are NFL teams who agree with him.
"A lot of teams want me to still be in that position of playing multiple positions for their club," he said. "I'm excited."

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks ranks Walker the No. 1 linebacker in the draft , and Brooks projects him to go ninth overall to the Saints in his most recent mock draft . There's a long way to go between now and the start of Round 1 on April 24, but it appears Walker won't be waiting long to hear his name called in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the host of this year's draft.

Walker said he plans to be in attendance for the event.

"I feel like that opportunity for me and my family is very big, especially because many players don't get that opportunity to do so," he said. "Sitting there, going to Green Bay, having the opportunity to walk out there and greet the commissioner is like no other."