Travon Walker enters the next phase of his Jaguars career with a new contract, a clean bill of health, and plenty of eyes on whether he can climb even higher.
Jacksonville took Walker with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the defensive end has worn No. 44 ever since. The Jaguars are now working through their 90-man roster before training camp, and Walker sits near the center of the conversation.
His 2025 season was slowed by injuries, which cut into his overall production. Even so, the bigger picture still points upward.
Walker has posted 10-plus sacks in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and in both years he finished among the top 25 at his position in quarterback pressures. He has also shown the kind of versatility teams covet on the edge, with the ability to line up in different spots and contribute against the run.
The Jaguars clearly believe in the trajectory. Walker signed a four-year, $110 million extension in April, and the expectation now is that he backs it up by taking another step forward. Liam Coen has said he wants to have to remove Walker from practice because the offense is unable to get anything accomplished with him on the field.
That kind of momentum appears to be building. SI’s Albert Breer recently noted that Walker is showing signs of another jump after the offseason programs, and he now has the benefit of a full offseason without lingering injuries. He also gets the value of continuity, spending a second offseason in Anthony Campanile’s scheme.
Those factors could set him up for a big year.
In Other News...
Did Commanders Give Up Too Soon On A Back Who Produced
Chris Rodriguez Jr. spent much of his time in Washington on the roster bubble, getting waived and brought back more than once before finally putting together the kind of season that hinted at what he could be. By the end of 2025, the former Commanders back had set career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns, a late burst that made the decision not to tender him as a restricted free agent look a little more questionable in hindsight.
Now Rodriguez is heading to Jacksonville with a fresh opportunity and a familiar face in Liam Coen, who coached him at Kentucky and knows exactly what he can do in the right system. The Jaguars are giving him a chance to work his way back from a foot injury and compete for the lead job in camp and preseason, which is a pretty different stage than the one he left behind in Washington. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Camp Battle Could Force A Tough Backfield Decision
Training camp is about to sort out a Jaguars backfield that already looks crowded at the top. Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez and LeQuint Allen all appear to have strong paths onto the roster, giving Jacksonville a trio that offers different skill sets and enough depth to make the summer competition worth watching closely.
The bigger question is whether the Jaguars will stop there or leave room for an extra runner by shaving another spot elsewhere. A fourth back would make sense only if someone separates himself during camp, but the more likely outcome is Jacksonville keeping things tight and using those roster spots to help the rest of the team. For now, the final call still belongs to what happens over the next few weeks. [Read more 🡒]