One of the potential surprise players the New England Patriots could draft at No. 4 overall is Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker. There might be more smoke to that fire with Walker reportedly going out to lunch with the team last week.

Per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Patriots had a “decent-sized contingent in attendance at last Thursday’s workout on the Georgia campus.”

Pauline wrote:

“Later Monday, I confirmed that the Patriots had a decent-sized contingent in attendance at last Thursday’s workout on the Georgia campus, which featured Walker and Mykel Williams. They later took Walker out for lunch.”

Walker is coming off a 2024 season that saw him record 60 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks on the season. In three seasons at Georgia, he recorded 90 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks in 43 games.

Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi previously mocked Walker to the Patriots with the fourth overall pick in the draft.

The Patriots could use a pass rusher to help with pressuring opposing quarterbacks, but the team also has major needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver. It could all come down to whether the Patriots view Walker as the best available player on the draft board.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Patriots visited with potential dark horse pick