Two years after picking Bryce Young No.1 overall, the Panthers have finally found some stability under center. But there’s absolutely no time for them to chillax. Why? Because of their appalling defense. Like the Panthers’ defense had more holes than Swiss Cheese. Every time their defense was on the field, they got humiliated at the very least. Conceding more points than any team in NFL history, allowing more than 3,000 rushing yards (only the 4th team to do so). Carolina needs some urgent reinforcements in their defense, otherwise it could get much worse. So, with that thought in mind, the Panthers have suddenly found themselves in a bit of a dilemma. On whom should they use their No.8 pick in this year’s draft?

See, for quite some time the Panthers were expected to use their No.8 overall on Michigan’s defensive tackle Mason Graham. But drafting him at No.8 is like expecting a Game of Thrones Season 8 remake (will never happen). Graham is almost certain to be picked top 5 with Patriots showing an active interest in him. Maybe that’s why the Panthers are slowly shifting their attention elsewhere. The Athletic’s Joseph Person, who attended the NFL Combine in Indy, found something interesting in the Panthers’ approach.

He thinks the Panthers were the most impressed with Georgia LB Jalon Walker’s makeup and football acumen. Actually, Person could be right, you know about Walker catching the Panthers’ attention. Just listen to what Panthers GM Dan Morgan had to say about him. “I know he’s a talented player. There’s a lot of talented players in this draft. He’s just one of many.” Well, there could be players more talented than Walker. But none of them will carry the traits that Walker brings to the table.

Actually, it’s not about whether the Panthers like him or not. There’s no second-guessing with Walker until he also gets snapped by other franchises. Panthers were ranked 3rd lowest in sacks last season. And had the worst scoring defense. With Jalon Walker it could instantly change. Walker is coming off a SEC Championship winning roster where he led the team in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (11). While the only players in Carolina who were anywhere near Walker’s level were A’Shawn Robinson and Jadeveon Clowney. Both of them had 5.5 sacks each and clearly those weren’t enough.

However, Walker’s only talent isn’t limited to knocking the lights out of opponents’ QBs. He also possesses other worldly talents that are a bit difficult to find in other linebackers in this year’s draft.

Jalon Walker puts 32 NFL franchises on notice about his talents

You might be thinking Travis Hunter is the only special player in this year’s draft. Well, you might be right but partially. Yes, Hunter can play both sides of the ball. But whether he will manage to do it in the NFL is a different question. However, Jalon Walker isn’t far away from Hunter’s dual-threat capability either. In Georgia, he played both as an outside linebacker and inside linebacker. So, naturally at the Combine, Walker was asked which position he would prefer to play among the pros.

Let’s just say his answer will probably not surprise you. “I’m a ball player. Just being on the field is my favorite position. Just being everywhere, where you just don’t know. The anticipation of being the outside backer one snap, the insider backer one snap, being the star one snap. It gives me comfort knowing the offense doesn’t know where I’m going to be.” It’s like Walker is Flash from the Marvel Universe. The moment you blink he is gone. And by the time you open your eyes, you are already wondering what just happened.

He also called himself that chess piece which can move everywhere on the board. Queen? Is Walker referring himself to be the Queen of gridiron chess? Well, no doubt he could be at least in college, he was. So, why not in the NFL. Walker does have all the traits to succeed at the top. Whether he does it in Carolina or somewhere else is a different question. But one thing is for sure: Watch out for Walker. You will probably not realize what hit you until you see W-A-L-K-E-R standing on top of you with a grin in his face.