When it comes to NFL Draft analysis, few voices carry as much weight as Booger McFarland. The former defensive tackle and two-time Super Bowl champion has built a reputation for identifying elite talent.
This year, McFarland has made a particularly bold comparison—one that’s sure to excite NFL fans and scouts alike.
On a recent episode of SportsCenter, McFarland likened Georgia’s standout linebacker, Jalon Walker, to none other than Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive juggernaut. Considering Parsons’ dominance in the league since 2021, this comparison sets sky-high expectations for Walker.
Jalon Walker: The Next Micah Parsons?
Standing at 6’2” and 245 pounds, Jalon Walker has turned heads as one of the most explosive playmakers in college football. The 2024 Butkus Award winner recorded 61 tackles (38 solo), 6.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries, proving himself to be a disruptive force on the field.
McFarland didn’t hold back in his praise, emphasizing Walker’s versatility and ability to wreak havoc against opposing offenses:
“I don’t know what he’s going to measure, but I guarantee you this: If you measure impact and playmaking ability, you can line him up anywhere, whether it be off the ball, whether it be on the edge. I think he’s this year’s draft version of Micah Parsons.”
The former NFL star went on to highlight Walker’s ability to instantly impact a defense from multiple positions, making him an ideal fit for a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker or edge rusher:
“And I think his ability just to impact the offense and put a dagger in the offense, I think it’s going to be there from day one. I think ideally you could put him at a three-four outside linebacker, at an edge… I think you could put him anywhere.”
This type of positional flexibility and elite athleticism is exactly what has made Micah Parsons one of the NFL’s most feared defenders—and why teams in need of a dynamic pass rusher will have their eyes locked on Walker during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mason Graham: A Future Star on the Defensive Line?
McFarland didn’t stop at Walker. He also heaped praise on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, calling him a “playmaker” and “disruptor”—words that should make NFL scouts take notice.
Graham, who boasts nine career sacks and 18 tackles for loss, has been ananchor for Michigan’s defensive front. While some analysts might question his measurables, McFarland dismissed any doubts with a unique scouting take:
“We can talk about the arm length, maybe not long enough; he may not be big enough, but… He’s gonna get from A to B, and the first-step quickness is there. I’ve never looked at his ankles, but I guarantee you: he has thin ankles, and we know thin ankles produce great athletes.”
Potential Top-Five Pick?
Analyst Matt Miller also weighed in on Graham’s draft stock, predicting he could go as high as fourth or fifth overall, with teams like the New England Patriots (No. 4) and Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 5) being ideal landing spots.
“I look at the New England Patriots to pick number four, and the Jacksonville Jaguars to pick number five. Two teams that need a three-technique that can be that disruptor that Booger was talking about.”
Miller even went as far as ranking Graham as the third-best overall player in the draft and the top defensive tackle:
“His ability to shoot through gaps is tremendous. He has a motor that runs nonstop, and that’s something that’s becoming more rare in college football with defensive linemen… He is a true impact player.”
NFL Teams on High Alert as Draft Approaches
With the 2025 NFL Draft set to take place at Lambeau Field from April 24 to 26, both Jalon Walker and Mason Graham are emerging as must-watch prospects.
Walker’s Micah Parsons-like ability to dominate multiple positions and Graham’s relentless motor as a defensive tackle make them potential top picks. As teams finalize their draft boards, franchises in need of a defensive cornerstone will have a tough time passing up these two elite prospects.
I am a writer with a passion for technology and gaming. I write about a variety of subjects, including Esports, Games, Shows, and Sports. I create engaging and informative content for Hiptoro.