AJ Terrell is perhaps the biggest name in this rookie class for the Falcons, given that he is the first round pick on a position of distress and has killed it in training camp. Other than that, no doubt, fans are excited to dominate Marlon Davidson and Matt Hennessy on their respective sides of the slots, while Sterling Hofrichter gets some buzz as he takes over for nine-year veteran Matt Bosher at punter.
Mykal Walker and Jaylinn Hawkins are also exciting players, but it’s fair to say we do not expect them to have big 2020 roles. Hawkins will be buried behind four veteran safetys with long starting experience and will likely start the year as a special team for nuclei, while Walker is likely behind Deion Jones and Foye Oluokun and competes for snaps with LaRoy Reynolds, Deonne Bucannon, and Edmond Robinson, among others.
While I still think this will be the case, there was room for those rookies to impress. Walker, in front, seems to be doing just that.
Rookie Mykal Walker ends the practice with another INT off tip
– vaughn mcclure (@ vxmcclure23) August 20, 2020
Rookie linebacker Mykal Walker has had a few interceptions so far. Keep an eye on him. The Falcons are looking for players who can make plays on the ball and he has done that. https://t.co/XjupbYYUYK
– Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) August 20, 2020
Walker came out of high school with a well-deserved reputation as a physical player capable of running the passer, with 6.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in two seasons at Fresno State. One of the areas of his game that was mentioned as a potential area of improvement was his ball skills, as he had 10 pass deflections and 1 interceptions in those two seasons as a hybrid defensive end and linebacker. He answers those questions early in camp by playing aggressively and making plays on the ball, including a few interceptions.
The thing to remember with Walker is that, regardless of his role in 2020, he has a real shot to start from the line, given that the Falcons barely hesitate around the previous fourth round of pick De’Vondre Campbell it to give start signal. Walker is also a true talent showing early signs of a well-rounded game, and the Falcons have needed an injection of youth and talent at linebacker for at least a few seasons now. It’s an encouraging sign for a player I hope we see a reasonable amount by 2020.
