Falcons looking to expand the role of Jalon Walker

Jalon Walker has spent the early part of the season working primarily as an EDGE defender, but with Divine Deablo sidelined indefinitely after breaking his arm against the 49ers, the Falcons suddenly have a glaring hole at linebacker. Second-year player JD Bertrand out of Notre Dame has filled in for Deablo in the middle of the defense, but nothing about his game suggests he’s ready to be an every-down contributor at the NFL level.

Perhaps Walker could help fill that void, but it’s far from an ideal solution. He was a tweener in college, though his best work came when attacking downhill and disrupting plays in the backfield. He’s not a natural off-ball linebacker, and his long-term value lies in developing as an edge rusher. Hindering that development during his rookie season by forcing him into a new role isn’t something the Falcons should be eager to do.

Still, desperate times often call for desperate measures. Atlanta has a massive void to fill at linebacker, and if they can’t find a viable replacement through free agency or trade, giving Walker a look might be the best short-term option to mask what’s quickly becoming the team’s most glaring weakness.