Let’s address the obvious first: this pick is largely influenced by my skepticism about Shedeur Sanders as an NFL quarterback. I see him as a player who helps a team win rather than being the reason they win, and we’ve already seen the Saints’ potential with that type of player (like Derek Carr, who led them to a 9-8 record).
Instead, I’d rather take a chance on a player with significant upside, like Him, the 2024 Butkus Award winner. He’s another standout from Georgia’s pipeline of elite front-seven players. 2024 marked his first year as a full-time starter, given the depth on Georgia’s defense.
However, he quickly made an impact, leading the team with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while playing both inside and outside linebacker. His explosive athleticism and knack for finding the ball made him a force on the field, especially when coming downhill.
This versatility is especially intriguing as Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan are likely nearing the end of their careers with the Saints. Walker not only has the potential to fill their on-field roles but also offers leadership, with his fellow Georgia players praising his captaincy.
A downside is that he doesn’t possess the typical size of an NFL edge rusher. However, with new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley—who follows a Fangio-style defense—there’s precedent for smaller, twitchy linebackers succeeding in that system, like Nolan Smith and Haason Reddick.
Considering Walker’s potential and the success of Georgia’s defenders in recent years, this pick makes perfect sense to me.
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