Mike Caldwell discussing Devin Lloyd and Travon Walker
The Jaguars’ 2024 breakout candidate is Travon Walker.

Could 2023 see Travon Walker have an even greater breakout the following season following a 10-sack campaign?

Without a doubt, Travon Walker took a step during the 2023 campaign. Walker saw a sharp increase in production during the final stretch, while the Jacksonville Jaguars collapsed.

Walker had just 3.5 sacks in his rookie season, but he recorded at least half a sack in eight of the Jaguars’ final ten games, and he hit 10 in 2023. Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, he recorded his first-ever multi-sack performance with two sacks.

Therefore, it’s not absurd to believe that Walker can improve even further in the future. The former first-round selection was superior in 2023 to his rookie year, and he will now benefit from Ryan Nielsen’s coaching as he begins his third season as defensive coordinator.

Walker was thus selected by PFF as the Jaguars’ early 2024 breakout prospect.

“Walker hasn’t yet delivered the high-end pass-rush metrics that most would expect from a former first-overall pick, but this was always the most likely case for Walker, who was very much touted as a work in progress as a pass-rusher,” PFF stated.

“The good things about his first two seasons are that he managed to win while maintaining a high level of pressure and sack totals, which significantly increased from his rookie to sophomore seasons. Walker was able to convert his 59 total pressures—which tied for 22nd at his position—into 10 sacks. Edge rushers usually find their footing in Year 3 and later.