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Michael DiRocco
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ESPN Staff Writer- For ESPN.com and Florida Times-Union, I covered the University of Florida for 13 seasons
- Jacksonville University Graduate
- Multiple APSE Award Winners
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Eric Woodyard
Seven months ago, the debate was raging over which defense end to choose. Jacksonville Jaguars Would take with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022 NFL Draft.
Michigan? Aidan Hutchinson Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft analyst, deemed Mel Kiper Jr. the top prospect. Travon WalkerThe Jaguars were rumored to be interested in a player named?, who is the best from a strong Georgia Georgia class.
Walker was the choice of the Jaguars, and he was selected by them. Detroit Lions Next, Hutchinson was taken with the No. Hutchinson was the No. 2 overall pick. Detroit was so thrilled Hutchinson was available, they gave their pick card with his name on the it within minutes.
Walker and Hutchinson will be reunited on that day, as they share a field with the Jaguars (4-7), at Ford Field (1 p.m. ET, Fox).
Three-fourths of their first season is complete for the rookies. So, how do they fare? How do they compare? How do they adapt to each other?
In the pass-rush department, Hutchinson outperformed Walker through the first 12 weeks statistically. But that shouldn’t be surprising. It was clear that Hutchinson was more likely to have an immediate impact than Walker. Walker had primarily played inside college, so he would need to learn to play outside with the Jaguars.
Six questions were asked by Eric Woodyard, ESPN Lions reporter, and Michael DiRocco, Jaguars reporter, about how rookies are settling in.
How do rookies perform?
Woodyard: Hutchinson came into the league with high expectations. But the Michigan native is performing like a No. Hutchinson was the 2nd overall pick. Through 11 games, he has recorded 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. He fits right in with the Lions’ gritty identity, which Dan Campbell often preaches to his players.
“Look, let us call it what it really is. We like the kid because of that. Campbell spoke out during a Nov. 18 practice.
“Like he regards himself as someone who can change the world. It’s like I can do this. He thrives in high-pressure situations and those critical moments. He isn’t afraid to get tight and tense. He wants to see a play.
DiRocco: Walker isn’t just interested in stats this season. He wants to learn what it takes to be an NFL outside linebacker. Walker was an outside linebacker at Georgia, but mostly played on the defensive line as a penetration tackle and end. Walker is currently working to learn pass-rush and counter moves, and how to get into coverage under a new defensive scheme.
Walker has started every game with 2.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and an interception. He said that he quickly realized that strength and speed are not sufficient.
Walker said, “I wanted to out-physical anyone in front of me always,” “While I am being physically active, I have to be efficient in what I do.” It’s not enough to be mentally prepared. When I say mentally prepared I mean that I have watched film of my opponent, then I can understand what he is going to try to do to me.
What are their strengths and what can they do to improve them?
Woodyard: Hutchinson met Aaron Glenn, the Lions defensive coordinator, during the bye week to discuss how he could improve. Hutchinson decided to switch to a two-point stance instead of a three-point one.
He has great instincts, and a keen sense of the game. This has enabled him to grab a pair interceptions and a fumble recover. He could make improvements in pass rush, however. According to ESPN Analytics, Hutchinson’s pass rush win rate is 9% over 11 games. This ranks fifth among rookies. He can improve his use of his hands and set up blockers by learning the basics.
DiRoccoWalker’s strength is his greatest asset. Walker is 6’5″, 275 lbs and very powerful in the run game. Mike Caldwell, the defensive coordinator, stated that Walker has done an excellent job of setting the edge for ball carriers and taking them down from the opposite side of the field.
Walker is working hard to be a more consistent rusher. According to NextGen Stats, Walker is only getting 7.4% pressure on his rushes. This comes on top of a team record 283 pass-rush snaps. Outside linebacker Josh Allen The team’s 14.4% pressure rate is led by Dallas outside linebacker Dante Fowler, who leads all NFL players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps and a 19.4% rate.
“I show glimpses here, there and everywhere. [he’ll be] Making plays, sacks, or whatever else it is [but] Walker stated, “I just need to be consistent.”
After being double-teamed, chipped and double-teamed, he sometimes gets aggravated.
Doug Pederson, head coach said, “He’s gaining recognition and respect from the opponents, but at same time, he must understand he can’t get frustrated.” “He has to keep working and find ways that he can create rush and play in himself.”
What were the expectations for each team coming in?
WoodyardGlenn stated that Detroit chose Hutchinson because he wanted to improve the defense that allowed the second most points in 2021. To help the quarterback, the Lions chose the 2021 Heisman trophy runner-up after finishing in the bottom five leagues in pressure percentage over the six previous seasons.
The Lions are currently at four wins in 11 games. This is a significant improvement on the 2021 record of 3-13-1. Hutchinson has high expectations but is meeting them. Hutchinson is now the NFL’s only defensive lineman to have at least five tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in a season.
DiRocco: Walker was not a priority for the Jaguars this season. Walker only wanted to learn his new position, show progress and make some plays. Walker and Walker are pleased with Walker’s performance, but Walker would like Walker to make more plays. Walker is doing well.
The expectations for the first overall selection were high from the outside. He could challenge Allen’s Jags rookie sack record (10.5 in 2019, 2019) and become a major playmaker on a defense with few since 2017. It doesn’t seem like it. However, the defense as a group has struggled, particularly late in games to keep leads and make a play that gets the opposing offensive off the field. Walker hasn’t been that game-changer yet.
The Jaguars are happy with his progress overall.
Caldwell stated, “Expectations from media or us, he might have this expectation but he has a high standard and he wants to play the game. He goes out there every day and we push him to be that player.” Caldwell said, “When you’re hard at work and trying your best every day there are really no expectations.” You do the same thing you’ve done your whole life.
How did they adapt to their new city and team?
WoodyardDespite being a top pick, Hutchinson has seamlessly adapted to the new environment. He is often seen in the locker room challenging his teammates to ping-pong or competitive pool sessions. His rendition of “Billie Jean”, a song by Michael Jackson, during training camp was a huge hit with both teammates and viewers of HBO’s series “Hard Knocks”.
Since the beginning, he has been a team-first man, even when the season was 1-4.
Hutchinson spoke to ESPN about feeling like people are now throwing them away and writing us off. It has never been about who believed in us. It is all about how we feel about ourselves as a team. There aren’t any changes in my mind. We had a lot hype during the preseason. I’m sure that has died down. But we’ll continue to play ball.
DiRocco: The loudest corner in the locker room is the defensive line. Walker is a quiet man, but Walker’s end. Dawuane Smoot Walker was more than capable of holding his own when it came to cutting up the group.
Smoot commented that “he fit right in.” He’s a great guy. “We laugh a lot.
Walker is a laid back guy outside of the locker room. At least for the season, Walker isn’t spending much time in new restaurants or night spots.
He stated, “I’m that type of person. Once I’m done with work, I go to my place and do some study before it’s time for me to go to bed.” “Save me a bit, save me some money in this tax-free environment [there is no state income tax in Florida]I don’t complain, but it is what I do.”
Which is your favorite game?
WoodyardHutchinson, a rookie Lions player, set a single-game rookie record for three sacks in Detroit’s 36-27 victory over the Detroit Lions. Washington Commanders Week 2. Hutchinson dedicated the performance of Week 2 to Hudson Gazsi (aged 5), who was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lukemia (ALL).
Hutchinson declared, “That’s pretty damn amazing,” after learning he was entered the Lions history books following the game. It’s the culmination of all those guys on that defensive line. It’s just everyone doing their jobs. I saw a lot of the benefits this week, so I’m blessed. It’s a whole team effort on that defensive side.
“Sacks can be very tedious, so you need everybody clicking, and I thought that we were clicking today.”
DiRoccoWalker’s best performance came in Week 1, against Washington. He had a sack, interception, and three tackles during his NFL debut. Walker’s interception was a great example of his skills and helped the Jaguars to make him the No. 1 pick. 1 overall. Walker read screen passes, cut his rush short, and leapt in front of the quarterback Carson WentzRunning back is possible with the’s pass Antonio Gibson He returned the intercepted ball to the Commanders at the 11-yard line.
Walker said, “Once he got up, I saw he was going try to dunk the ball somewhere around me and once he released the ball, his eyes touched the spot where he was about releasing it and I just felt like i could go and grab it.”
The most memorable part of the play is? Walker was not where he was supposed. Walker was supposed to do a twist and end in the inside, but he stayed outside and was at the right place at right time.
Which players can they compare the best to?
WoodyardBecause of his combination of speed, size, and speed, the Lions general manager Brad Holmes drafted Hutchinson.
Holmes, who had observed Hutchinson during the preseason, said that Hutchinson made it clear pretty quickly that he was serious about business when he stepped onto the grass. “And there are things that he has shown that I believe some people didn’t even know he had,” Holmes said.
Ray Agnew, assistant general manager of the Lions, agreed. “I can’t help but smile. He said that he loved the kid and his relentless effort. “I love the kid.
“Man, what he can do to rush the passer, inside or outside, using his hands. He is a great rusher. “We got the right one, I’d just like to say that.”
DiRocco: Walker was compared to a defensive end during pre-draft. Aldon SmithThe San Francisco 49ers‘ No. 7 overall selection in 2011, due their similar size (Smith, 6 feet 4 inches and 263 pounds), and long arms.
Smith was however a strong pass-rusher right from the beginning, with 14 sacks in his rookie season (half sack behind Jevonkearse’s rookie record in 1999) as well as 19.5 in his sophomore season. Smith transitioned from outside linebacker to defensive end much more easily between his first season and his second.
Trent Baalke (Jaguars GM) is the big link between the two players. Baalke was the 49ers’ General Manager in 2011 and Smith was his first choice.