Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops in the pocket at Lambeau Field before Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) closes for a sack, with Nov. 23, 2025 marking the first-half divisional play in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Turner finishes the pressure as Minnesota’s defense creates an early road statement against Love. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings lost some veteran players this offseason, which is standard operating procedure for every NFL team. To make up for losses, existing players will be expected to step up, along with a whole bunch of rookies. It’s just the way it goes.
In 2026, these are those men for the Vikings, listed in alphabetical order — veterans whose job descriptions will increase.
Dallas Turner’s Promotion Has the Loudest Summer Stakes
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) goes through warm-ups at Paul Brown Stadium before facing the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12, 2021. Brandel worked through pregame drills in Cincinnati while preparing for special teams and depth duties, with teammates moving around him during the early-afternoon setup before Minnesota’s road opener. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports.
Blake Brandel | C
The Vikings have a history of unconventional center selections, and Brandel might be the most surprising, given his presence on the team.
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Last season, Brandel played 383 snaps at center, indicating this isn’t merely a fleeting experiment. While his 61.4 PFF grade isn’t spectacular, it revealed a crucial truth: Minnesota may have found a viable player for a position that can hold down the fort.
That makes Week 1 a critical juncture. With Brandel slated to start at center, the experiment becomes reality. If he performs adequately, the Vikings could resolve this position without the frantic search for solutions next offseason.
If not, it’s back to square one. Brandel’s value has always stemmed from his versatility. He can play guard, shift to tackle, and now has a legitimate opportunity at center. Last season, he was indispensable, playing in all 17 games, including nine starts, and handling 64% of the offensive snaps.
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Teams often dedicate entire offseasons to finding stopgap players. Brandel, however, might be that rare individual who can not only fill a void but also secure the job long-term.
Joe Huber | G
Huber is included on this list “just in case.” The Vikings will start guards Donovan Jackson and Will Fries in 2026, but if one gets injured, Huber figures to be the next man up. Otherwise, Minnesota would have to convert tackle Walter Rouse to guard.
The undrafted rookie from 2025 saw action as a rookie and remains on the roster with training camp 3.5 weeks away. For now, he seems to be the primary backup guard. Injuries spanked the Vikings’ offensive line in 2025. If that happens again, Huber could be a starter.
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Dallas Turner | OLB
This season marks the moment the Vikings will finally justify the substantial investment made in Turner. No more talk of more “waiting for snaps” and no more relegating him to a backup role behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. With Greenard now an Eagle, Turner’s time has arrived.
It’s exciting because Turner’s projected 2025 sack numbers and his knack for forcing fumbles suggest a player capable of far more than simply fitting into Brian Flores’ defense. He possesses the talent to become a pass rusher who can singlehandedly alter the course of a drive.
Most Vikings fans would likely be content with him simply solidifying a starting role, reserving Pro Bowl aspirations for 2027 or 2028. That’s a reasonable expectation. However, Turner’s ascension might happen even faster.
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Minnesota didn’t draft him to be a rotational player. The Vikings expended considerable draft capital for a high-impact defensive talent. Now, he’ll receive the snaps to prove that investment was worthwhile.
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner appears at the Play Football Prospect Clinic at The Corner Ballpark in Detroit on Apr 24, 2024. Turner took part in the NFL Draft week event before joining the Minnesota Vikings, giving cameras another look at one of the class’s premier defensive prospects in a community setting. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Turner last month, “A substantial part of the calculus of trading Greenard is that the Vikings need to see what they have full-time in Turner, who they traded up for in the first round two years ago.”
“He came alive in the second half of last season and has an arrow pointing straight up heading into year three at 23 years old. Turner emerging as a star would help fans forget about the Greenard trade pretty quickly.”
Jay Ward | S
The most mysterious statement in the current Vikings landscape is this: Harrison Smith is not presently on the roster. He may return; he may be retired. Nobody knows. If Smith remains away or retires, Ward stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries on the entire depth chart.
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He already provided the Vikings with compelling reasons to consider him. Late last season, Ward surpassed Theo Jackson, injecting more intensity into the secondary. His aggressive play was noticeable, and his ball-tracking ability proved helpful. The defense as a whole appeared more dynamic with him on the field.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr celebrates with safety Jay Ward and linebacker Pat Jones II after a fourth-quarter fumble recovery at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov 27, 2023. Barr’s takeaway energized Minnesota late against the Chicago Bears, giving the Vikings a momentum jolt during a tense Monday Night Football divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
If Smith is indeed done, Minnesota would likely enter Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers with Josh Metellus and Ward as the starting safeties.
It represents a monumental challenge for Ward, but it’s precisely the kind of opportunity young defensive backs strive for over two years. The Vikings may have an open safety spot, and Ward is currently in the prime position to claim it. It’s also the final year of his rookie contract, also known as go-time.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
The United States men’s national team has received a major boost to their hopes of defeating Belgium as striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension has been lifted. Balogun was sent off in the second half of the United States’ victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on a defender, which the referee punished with a red card following a VAR review. Now FIFA’s disciplinary committee has overturned it, making him available for the round of 16 and removing his one-game suspension.
“In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
US Soccer has also issued a statement, saying they’re looking forward to fan support in Seattle, where they’ll now have Balogun available.
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
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While U.S. Soccer was engaged with FIFA over the suspension, they found out the news in a phone call Saturday morning, according to CBS Sports’ Pardeep Cattry. And the team was told shortly thereafter in a team meeting.
The red card itself resulted from a questionable set of circumstances. Balogun was not even cautioned on the field initially, and it was only after a slow motion replay that VAR reviewed the events. However, FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension did not question the initial awarding of the red card, only asserted it’s rights to suspend a suspension for a probationary period when it decides to.
Has a suspension like this been overturned before?
There was no official process to appeal, but the judicial body reserves the right to fully or partially suspend disciplinary action. This is a similar reason as to why Cristiano Ronaldo was available to start the World Cup after picking up a red card against Ireland, which would’ve seen him miss the opening match of the World Cup for Portugal. FIFA similarly suspended that red card, which has allowed him to play for his national team without missing any games.
It’s a major boost to the team as Balogun has scored three goals in the World Cup so far. His presence in the attack has created a real danger, and it’ll be on display as they look to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 when they defeated Mexico in the round of 16 under Bruce Arena.
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What is Belgium saying?
The Royal Belgian FA is far from pleased with this outcome and are, “investigating all potential options.”
“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time),” The statement said. After referring to the issues posed behind the lack of clarity in Article 27, which was used to overturn the red card, the statement continued.
“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”
“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:
“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.”The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.
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“The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations. In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral.
The point turned into a meme that has reached all corners of the internet, including the White House’s social media accounts. On Friday, pointing was also seen in the ring.
Tiffany Stratton enters the ring during SmackDown at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on July 3, 2026.(Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair took on Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab in a six-woman tag team match on “Friday Night SmackDown.” Green and Stratton stood in front of Flair and began to point at their opponents in Cunningham’s style.
Chelsea Green celebrates with Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton during Night of Champions at Kingdom Arena on June 27, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
“I think everyone around the world is posting it,” she said when asked about the White House’s post.
“Every company has done it. So I don’t really think twice about it. I just think they’re another group posting about it.”
Cunningham said on her podcast that her technical foul she got for the pointing gesture during the game against the Mercury was “the weakest thing I’ve ever seen in my life” and explaining that she “didn’t say a word” while “all I was doing was literally pointing.”
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham points at Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner after an argument during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 22, 2026. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury 86-77.(USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)
Two of the World Cup’s most dreaded strikers face off on Sunday as five-time champions Brazil take on tournament dark horses Norway at the New York New Jersey Stadium for a place in the quarter-finals. The injured Lucas Paqueta is replaced by Gabriel Martinelli for Brazil. Follow our liveblog for minute-by-minute match commentary.
Brad Dalke is used to playing in a different arena. This past weekend in Germany, the YouTube golf creator, who recently left Good Good Golf, stepped back into the competitive professional arena for the first time in six years. The four-day experience at the BMW International Open, which Dalke played on a sponsor invitation, left him feeling a different sort of pressure than his fellow competitors.
“It’s a weird mixture of there’s no stress because I’m not out here fighting for points and I’m not grinding every week on the [DP World Tour] season, but also I do kind of represent YouTube golf in a way,” Dalke said after Friday’s second round. “There’s a lot of people who love YouTube and love watching me, and they vouch for me, so I’m trying to prove it for them as well.”
But he left Golfclub München Eichenried on Sunday after a T30 finish, hoping that more opportunities like the one given to him by BMW come his way — an invite from sponsors who want to draw eyeballs to their event, the kind of younger eyeballs the YouTube sensation attracts.
“I would love it,” Dalke said after the final round. “I mean, it’s not my call, but if there are any sponsors out there who want to give me a chance, I would love to. It was such a fun week. “I’ve played so much competitive golf in my life, but it’s been a while since I was in this kind of arena. Once I got into it, though, I felt right back at home, and it’s fun.
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“It’s a constant grind out there, a constant battle trying to bring that swing from the range under pressure, it’s frustrating sometimes but very rewarding when you do well with it. I mean, what a week, and I’d love to play more.”
Dalke vaulted into contention on Friday via a six-under 66 that saw him sit two shots off the lead. Dalke quickly faded over the weekend as he posted five bogeys in a five-over 75 on Saturday. He followed that with a 73 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 30th.
Despite exiting the top of the leaderboard over the weekend, Dalke, who was a golfing prodigy in his youth, found something different in Germany — something that millions of viewers and 64s on YouTube don’t provide: proof of how good his good still is when firing on all cylinders.
“It’s also been cool to see how I stack up against these guys this week, I hadn’t really gotten the chance to test that out in a long time, and I always tell people, when I’m playing my best golf, I think I can compete with anybody,” Dalke said on Sunday. “I just have to get a lot better on the days I’m playing kind of average and not so great, that’s where these guys beat me. I putted well, just didn’t have my best ball striking.
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“So, I need to get better, but I know that without having my best stuff this week I still made the cut, still had a decent finish, which is cool to see and gives me a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Once upon a time, Brad Dalke appeared to be a meteor in golf. He won the 2015 Junior PGA Championship and was runner-up at the U.S. Amateur the following summer. That earned him spots in the 2017 Masters and the U.S. Open. He helped Oklahoma win the national championship and then turned pro in 2019. Big things were supposed to be ahead, but Dalke battled driver yips and eventually flamed out on the mini tours.
His turn to YouTube golf, which included joining Good Good, helped reignite his love for the game, which had been drained as he tried to grind on the mini tours. He became a YouTube sensation and was on the team that won the Internet Invitational.
“Doing the whole YouTube scene has been unbelievable,” Dalke said during a walk-and-talk in Germany. “Before I got into YouTube, I was not having very much fun with golf, not loving golf very much. Was going through a lot of struggles. YouTube helped me learn to have fun with golf again.”
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Dalke had fun in Germany this past week. At times, he looked the part with flashes of his golf-prodigy self surfacing as he climbed the leaderboard early. What he found is that he’d love to play professionally as much as possible, but on his terms.
“YouTube has been great the last few years,” Dalke said. “And I’m at the point now where I’m doing well enough on YouTube; I don’t need to go grind through PGA Tour Americas. Korn Ferry, like, that’s not what I want to do because there is not a whole lot of money in that, and it’s very stressful and a lot of travel, and so it’s a point of I’m in a good spot with YouTube. I’m not going to grind my way up.
“But if I were to come to an event like this and play well and somehow kind of build off that or playing in the Rocket Classic in a month, if I do well there and kind of build off that, if I got a tour card, that’d be awesome. That’d be sick. I would play 100 percent. That’s been my dream since I was little is to play competitive golf. And my game’s finally in a spot now where I feel like I can do that and do it well. So it’s a yes, I would play if I got a tour card, I would 100 percent do that.”
He’ll get two opportunities on the PGA Tour coming up, as he is slated to play on sponsor invites at the Rocket Classic and the Good Good Championship. Then, Brad Dalke will hope more sponsors give him a shot in the arena he once thought his path would take him to. And he’ll approach any start he gets with a lesson he learned when YouTube reignited his love of golf.
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“That’s one thing I’ve learned a lot from YouTube is when I’m out there just having a good time, that’s usually when I play my best,” Dalke said on Friday. “So no expectations. Go have a great time. If I have a great day, awesome. If I have a terrible day, it is what it is. It’s golf. It’s a hard game. So just go out there and have a great time. No expectations and see what we can do.”
To progress smoothly in Sand Raiders of Sophie, collecting valuable loot is essential. However, obtaining the best items is not always easy, as you will have to deal with dangerous enemies and explore the vast desert. Some of the game’s most valuable loot is behind Red Doors, which you can only open after meeting specific requirements. If you are unsure how to unlock them, this guide covers everything you need to know about opening Red Doors in this action-adventure title.
As mentioned earlier, Red Doors in Sand Raiders of Sophie hide some of the game’s most valuable loot. Unlike other locked doors, you can access these using their key. Alternatively, you need to use explosives to blast them open. There are several ways to do this, with the most effective methods listed below:
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Using fuel barrels
Using the Trampler
Using time bombs or grenades
Here’s a detailed look at each method.
Using fuel barrels
Create an explosion to unlock the Red Door (Image via tinyBuild)
One of the easiest ways to open a Red Door in Sand Raiders of Sophie is by using fuel barrels. Simply find one such barrel in the surrounding area and place it directly against the door. Next, move to a safe distance and shoot the barrel. The resulting explosion will destroy the Red Door, allowing you to access the loot hidden inside.
Using the Trampler
Fire cannons using Trampler at the Red Door (Image via tinyBuild)
The Trampler is not only useful for exploration and combat but can also help you break through Red Doors. To do this, equip your Trampler with cannons and position it directly in front of the door. After that, fire the cannon straight at the center of the door to trigger an explosion and destroy it. For the best results, avoid shooting from an angle, as a direct hit is much more reliable.
Using time bombs or grenades
If there are no fuel barrels nearby or your Trampler cannot reach the Red Door, time bombs and grenades are excellent alternatives. Among the two, time bombs are the most effective. Simply place one directly against the door and wait for it to detonate. Grenades can also break the door, but you may need to throw multiple explosives before it is destroyed.
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Phoebe Litchfield of Australia bats as Amy Jones of England keeps during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final between England and Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo/Getty Images)
Australia continued their dominance in women’s T20 cricket, defeating England by seven wickets at Lord’s in London on Sunday to win a record seventh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.Chasing 151, the highest target ever set in a Women’s T20 World Cup final, Australia reached 153/3 in 17.1 overs, finishing the job with 17 balls to spare.The chase was built around Beth Mooney, who made 64 off 49 balls with 10 fours, and Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 48 off 35 deliveries, hitting six fours and two sixes.Mooney and Litchfield supercharged the chase from the second over to the 13th in a 100-run partnership off 67 balls.Litchfield fell 34 runs from victory and Mooney was out 11 runs from the inevitable end after her third match-winning fifty in Australia’s last three finals.England dismissed a well-set Mooney in 16th over, trapped lbw by Sophie Ecclestone, but Australia’s batting depth meant there was no change in the result. The winning runs came in unusual fashion when Ecclestone bowled five wides in the 18th over. Overseeing the winning runs in the middle with 17 balls to spare was another stalwart, Ellyse Perry, winning her seventh world T20 trophy.Earlier, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt scored an unbeaten 58 off 53 balls, while Freya Kemp added an unbeaten 44 off 28 balls to help England post 150/4 after being asked to bat first.The pair rescued England with an 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket after the Australian bowlers kept the scoring under control for most of the innings.Sciver-Brunt hit five fours, while Kemp struck four boundaries and one six.Australia captain Sophie Molineux chose to bowl first, and her decision paid off as the bowling attack restricted England despite the absence of Perry, who did not bowl because of an injury.England managed only two sixes in their 20 overs, with one each coming from Alice Capsey and Kemp.Australia’s spin attack, led by Molineux (1/32) and Georgia Wareham (0/9 in two overs), controlled the middle overs, while Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland also kept the pressure on with disciplined bowling and changes of pace.Brief scores:England Women: 150/4 (20 overs)Australia Women: 153/3 (17.1 overs)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Karolina Muchova of Czechia celebrates victory against Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia during their Ladies’ Singles fourth round match on day seven of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Karolina Muchova is back in the Wimbledon quarter-finals after ending a four-year wait with a hard-fought victory over defending champion Barbora Krejcikova.
The Czech star defeated her compatriot 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 to extend her winning streak to eight matches and record her 33rd victory of the 2026 season.
After the match, Muchova was full of praise for the reigning Wimbledon champion.
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“You have to give it to her. She’s not a Wimbledon champion by luck. She knows how to play on this surface. She can get you into all the uncomfortable positions.”
She admitted losing her concentration briefly allowed Krejcikova back into the match.
“I think I lost focus for one or two balls and she started hitting freely. She deserved the second set. It was an incredibly tough match.”
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The victory also marked Muchova’s first Wimbledon quarter-final since 2021 after suffering first-round exits in each of the previous four tournaments.
Asked what had changed, the 28-year-old couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’d like to know what happened too.”
She then reflected on the difficult years that followed.
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“Those years I had some tough times during the period of Wimbledon. Just incredibly happy for this whole season. How I’m playing. I’m enjoying tennis a lot. This is just incredible to be here and make the quarter-finals.”
Spence was beaten thoroughly by Crawford and, as his inactivity went on, was thought to have quietly retired from the sport. When announcing his deal to face Tszyu, he promised fans that he is only returning because he feels he has more left in the tank.
The Australian will boast home advantage and look to get a win on the world stage following two defeats to Sebastian Fundora and a KO loss to Bakhram Murtazliev. With that in mind, the big question fans have pre-fight is which man has more left to give in the sport.
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Speaking to FightHype, ‘BoMac’ summed the fight up similarly, saying that a prime Spence wins, but a prime Tszyu can cause problems.
“That’s gonna be a great fight. If Errol’s gonna be himself, he should win, but we don’t know what he got left. If Tim comes in and is himself, he’ll push Errol to the edge.”
Asked if he believes it’s a 50/50 contest, McIntyre said no.
“No, I don’t think so. I think Errol probably will win.
After years of struggling to generate a competent pass rush, the Atlanta Falcons finally found the right formula under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2025. The Falcons finished second in the NFL with a franchise-record 57 sacks last season.
This was a massive step up for a defense that finished 31st in the league with just 31 sacks in 2024. So, what changed? There were several factors, including the improvement of second-year defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus, but the team’s rookie duo of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. was arguably the biggest difference.
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Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks, while Walker’s 5.5 sacks were the second-most of anyone in the 2025 NFL Draft class. While Pearce generated most of the headlines, Walker is the more complete player. The former Georgia Bulldog has the versatility to play multiple spots along the front seven.
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Bleacher Report listed each team’s “most promising building block” ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Walker was B/R’s choice for the Falcons.
“The Atlanta Falcons have a trio of exciting skill players in Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson,” wrote B/R’s Kristopher Knox. “However, two of them have made the Pro Bowl, while London—who made last year’s list—recently received a contract extension. So, we’ll pivot to the defensive side of the ball and second-year linebacker Jalon Walker. The Georgia product impressed as a rookie, tallying 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and nine QB hits.”
The Falcons attempted to play the former off-ball linebacker in more of a true edge role last season, but with Kaden Elliss departing in free agency, Walker is expected to pick up the slack on Ulbrich’s defense.
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“While he was largely used as an edge-rusher last season, the Falcons envision him being more of an all-around defender in the mold of former standout Kaden Elliss in Year 2,” added Knox. “Expect Walker to continue growing into a prominent role as one of Atlanta’s top defenders.”
With Pearce expected to be suspended for the start of the season, it will be interesting to see where Walker lines up in Week 1. Ultimately, the former Georgia standout’s versatility will only help Atlanta’s defense in 2026.
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