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When the Jacksonville Jaguars take the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, a lot of eyes will be on the Jaguars' pass-rushers vs. the Steelers' offensive line. And not just Josh Allen, either.
Speaking with local media on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was complimentary of both Allen and second-year outside linebacker Travon Walker, with Tomlin especially having high praise for Walker.
“We’ve got to do a really good job of managing their bigs,” Tomlin on Tuesday. “The edge guys really capture your attention. Josh Allen and Walker, in particular as a tandem, wreak a lot of havoc."
“I think often times sacks don’t represent the havoc that Walker causes. I felt that way in an analysis of him leading up to the draft. He’s just a guy who wrecks a lot of things. He plays with a violent play-style. He’s a wrecking ball.”
Tomlin on the Jaguars: "We have to do a good job managing their bigs. They've invested first rounders. Their edge guys in Allen and Walker wreak a lot of havoc. Sometimes sacks don't show the problems Walker causes. He plays with a violent style. He's a wrecking ball." #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) October 24, 2023
Walker, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has 6.0 sacks in 22 career games and has 2.5 sacks this year after 3.5 sacks as a rookie. Walker has also recorded four tackles for loss after five as a rookie, along with six quarterback hits through seven games after just 10 as a rookie.
Among 81 pass-rushers with at least 50 pass-rush snaps, Walker is No, 26 in pressures (21) and tied for No. 56 in pass-rush win-rate (10.8%) according to PFF. As a rookie, Walker was No. 43 in pressures (43) as a rookie and No. 77 in win-rate (9.6%)
“He’s a young guy, and the thing about young guys, they start to learn how to take care of their body. He went through the last season and everybody talks about how long the season is, well it’s long when you haven’t been through it before," Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said earlier this season.
Once you’re through it, now you understand how to take care of yourself and prepare yourself for it. He’s a young, strong guy, and he’ll be up for the test. Put him out there and let him go.”
“They’ve got a 3-4 structure, but boy, those are some big outside linebackers. It’s almost like they’re doing it with 4-3 people," Tomlin said. "And it really creates challenging regarding creating space and moving them for running lanes, for example.”
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