Panthers might not be able to see top draft target at NFL scouting combine

Jalon Walker may not do much at the combine.

Nov 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) reacts after a tackle against the Tennessee Volunteers in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

If you check mock drafts frequently, you'll see the same name over and over again for the Carolina Panthers. With how the top of the draft is expected to go, Mason Graham and Abdul Carter are all but assured of being gone, but that still leaves explosive Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker, and he's been Carolina's pick in the vast majority of mock drafts.

However, the Panthers, if they are planning on picking Walker, might not be able to have as much data on him. The edge rusher is nursing a few injuries, and he just revealed that he might not run or do all the testing next week.

Panthers target Jalon Walker could skip combine

Georgia LB Jalon Walker has been a popular pick for the Panthers at 8 in mock drafts, including ours. Per @MoveTheSticks on a conf. call Thurs., Walker has been "nursing some things" and may not run or do all of the testing at next week's combine.https://t.co/QMqSv3x30j

— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 21, 2025

Jalon Walker is considered by many to be the second-best edge rusher in the NFL Draft, making him a perfect candidate to join the Carolina Panthers. They may have to take a risk in picking him, though, as he may not compete at all in the upcoming scouting combine.

The combine can make or break prospects. Just ask Anthony Richardson or Amon-Ra St. Brown. A bad combine can ruin draft stock, and a good combine can boost it. Walker may not experience either of those things.

Dec 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) reacts after defeating the Texas Longhorns in overtime in the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

That could be good for him. He's projected to be a top 10 or top 15 pick, and he won't have the chance to blunder at the combine and fall even further. On the other hand, he doesn't have the chance to show his athleticism and move up the boards.

This may hurt the Panthers, too. What if Walker would have tested poorly? His production and game tape are the same, but it can be difficult to predict how it'll translate to the NFL. The combine can tell if someone's athletic enough to make the transition sometimes, and the Panthers might not get that with Walker.

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