Jags' Walker excited for DC Nielsen's defense: 'I can just play ball now'

Former first overall pick Travon Walker is excited about the Jacksonville Jaguars bringing in Ryan Nielsen to run the club's defense in 2024.

"I can just play ball now," Walker said Friday, per team reporter John Oehser.

"We're playing straightforward, and I feel like with me playing with my hand in the dirt, I feel a lot more explosive."

Nielsen served as the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator last season after spending the previous six campaigns rising through the New Orleans Saints defensive coaching staff ranks. The Falcons' defense outperformed their talent in 2023, as the club ranked fifth in success rate, per Ben Baldwin's database.

Jacksonville made sweeping changes to the coaching staff this offseason, including firing defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, who held the role the previous two years. The Jaguars' pass defense was its Achilles heel last campaign, ranking 25th in sacks per contest and 26th in passing yards per game.

Nielsen has a proven track record of running stable pass defenses. New Orleans finished second in dropback success rate and sixth in sacks in 2022 when Nielsen was the team's co-defensive coordinator.

"It's been great working with Ryan," Walker added. "He's one of those guys that always gives the 'why' on why we're doing something, so that helps make it a little bit easier on us. Just going ahead and believing in him, and obviously he has the tape to back it up with other players as well."

Walker's had an up-and-down start to his NFL career. The top selection in 2022 struggled in his rookie campaign, totaling 3.5 sacks in 15 contests. However, the 23-year-old flashed his potential in 2023 by posting 10.5 sacks, including five in the final four contests.

"I want to do what helps my team win games, and, obviously, being consistent is the No. 1 thing," Walker said.

"Now going into my Year 3, it's about me putting all the pieces together from my Year 1 and Year 2. Now I feel like I'm able to just go out there and play ball without as much thinking."