Jaguars DE Travon Walker: Ascending Star Takes No. 3 Spot
Jaguars DE Travon Walker: Ascending Star Takes No. 3 Spot
The Jacksonville Jaguars' fifth-round defensive end is in line to take yet another leap in 2026, making him one of the franchise's most valuable and impactful talents.John Shipley|
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Jacksonville JaguarsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have seen their pass-rush platooned by one of the NFL's best edge duos since 2022, and that isn't changing this year.
The Jaguars signed former No. 1 pick Travon Walker to a massive extension this offseason to ensure he and Josh Hines-Allen would dominate offensive lines for the foreseeable future, and the new big-money pass-rusher comes in at No. 3 on our rankings of the 25-most important Jaguars entering 2026.
So, why is Walker so important to the Jaguars' and their pass-rush prospects? We take a look below.
Why Travon Walker is So Important
The Jaguars' defense simply did not look the same without Walker at full-strength last year, and it became clear week in and week out that a healthy Walker would have changed the complexion of the defense if he was 100%. Walker and Josh Hines-Allen have been able to form a reliable and consistent pass-rush duo for years now, and the entire team's pass-rush dips when he is off the field.
Walker is a versatile piece that Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile can use up and down the defensive line, and he is probably the true mismatch that the Jaguars have up front.
Travon Walker's Strengths and Weaknesses
Walker's strengths have been clear since his days at Georgia. The massive edge rusher has the size and frame to overpower any blocker put in front of him, making him a deadly mismatch against tight ends in the running game. Add in his natural explosiveness and movement ability, and Walker is also a mismatch when he slides inside on passing downs against slower-footed guards, something the Jaguars took advantage of us last year as the season went on.
As a pass-rusher, Walker has developed his bag of tricks over the years after mostly winning with speed-to-power rushes early on in his career. He has heavy hands and can jolt blockers on contact, but he also has rare bend and closing speed for a player of his size. Walker's strength and ability to reset the line of scrimmage show up frequently in the running game as well, with Walker so far in his career earning the label of an elite edge setter and run defender. The Jaguars would not have had the No. 1 rush defense without him.
As for weaknesses, Walker has has had stretches of play where is able to consistently generate pressure, but he has never ranked highly in terms of pressure rate and win-rate over the course of an entire season. Outside of that, though, there are not many holes in his game.
What Happens if the Jaguars Need to Replace Travon Walker
When the Jaguars were missing Walker last season, they first used a rotation of Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah to step in for him on early downs, while Dennis Gardeck took the second edge rusher spot across from Hines-Allen on passing downs. Eventually, the Jaguars gave undrafted rookie defensive ends Danny Striggow and B.J. Green more snaps in the role as well.
Things have changed just a bit for the Jaguars' depth behind Walker and Hines-Allen this offseason, but not by a considerable amount. Striggow seems like the most likely option to replace Walker in the starting lineup if he misses any time this year, but the Jaguars did add two rookies to the mix with fourth-rounder Wesley Williams and Zach Durfee.
In short, the Jaguars can not have Walker miss any more time with injury. It hamstringed the defense and the pass-rush a year ago, and chances are it would do the same thing this year even if the Jaguars are high on thyeir new rookie defensive ends. But as things stand today, their depth behind Walker consists of two rookies and two second-year players. That is a lot of youth for the Jaguars to potentially rely on.
Why We Ranked Travon Walker Here
Walker has been one of the Jaguars' most important players for years, and that isn't going to change anytime soon after they made him one of the highest-paid players in franchise history a few months ago. Ever since his development took off in 2022, Walker has been one of the most impactful players for the Jaguars on either side of the ball thanks to what he does both against the run and the pass.
When Walker is on his game, opposing offenses have a massive question staring them in the face: do they slide protection to Walker or Hines-Allen? There is no right answer since both players are more than capable of wreaking havoc when put into one-on-one situations, which gives the Jaguars an edge each time they have them both on the field.
We saw what the Jaguars' pass-rush looked like last season when Walker missed time, and even when he played and was not 100%. Hines-Allen is an elite edge defender, but even he needs some help, and Walker does much more than that. Without Walker, the Jaguars' defense became much more one-dimensional and overly reliant on Hines-Allen. Travon is one of the most important players in the entire franchise, and will be for quite some time.
Published 1 hour ago
JOHN SHIPLEYJohn Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.
Follow _john_shipleyBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
