Travon Walker: ‘It has to be more than just one sack, one pick’
The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many when they took Georgia’s Travon Walker with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he looked every bit worth the selection Sunday when he recorded a sack and an interception against the Washington Commanders.
The only one who wasn’t satisfied with the performance was Walker himself.
“It has to be more than just one sack or one pick because obviously we didn’t win the game,” Walker told reporters after a 28-22 loss in Week 1. “A player like me that they drafted number one is supposed to make plays like that, so I need to continue to make plays.”
While Walker holds himself to a high standard, his debut put the rookie pass rusher in rare company. He joined Kevin Hardy as one of two Jaguars to record a sack and an interception in their NFL debut. Walker also became the first player in the league in four years to accomplish that feat in their first career game.
“I mean thought he, for a first game, thought he did some great things,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said of Walker. “A huge turnover there in the second half to get some points for the offense. Pretty good performance.”
Oddsmakers listed Walker’s over/under sack total for the season at 6.5 and he’s been commonly listed at 8-to-1 to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year.
