As the NFL season opens on Thursday, September 4, with the Dallas Cowboys facing the Philadelphia Eagles, sportsbooks are offering intriguing futures bets on defensive standouts, notably including Travon Walker 20 plus sacks. Walker, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ former No. 1 overall draft pick, is drawing attention with a high-risk wager proposing he will reach 20 or more sacks in the 2025 regular season, an achievement rarely seen in recent years.
Reviewing Defensive Player Betting Options
While defensive player props tend to be less prominent than those for offensive stars, several unique wagers highlight notable names such as Jadeveon Clowney, L’Jarius Sneed, and Nick Herbig. Yet, among these, Walker’s bet for 20-plus sacks stands out for its audacity and public interest. Clowney, currently a free agent after leading his previous team, the Panthers, with 5.5 sacks last season, faces doubts due to his unsigned status despite a long NFL career. Likewise, Sneed’s comeback bid following a quad injury struggles for support as the award historically favors quarterbacks.
Travon Walker’s Sack Performance and the Challenge Ahead
Walker’s sack totals over his first seasons illustrate a fluctuating but improving trend: 3.5 sacks in his rookie year of 2022, followed by consecutive double-digit performances of 10 sacks in 2023 and 10.5 in 2024. However, attaining 20 sacks in a single season remains a daunting milestone. In the Jaguars’ recent history, no player has recorded 20 sacks in one year. The most comparable performance is that of T.J. Watt, whose peak came with 22.5 sacks in 2021. Watt’s consistency in the seasons leading up to that—recording 13, 14.5, and 15 sacks—emphasizes the elite level needed for such a feat. Walker’s potential to nearly double his career-best sack total casts doubt on the likelihood of this bet paying off.
Supporting Defensive Players and Their Odds
Alongside Walker, other defensive players like Nick Herbig and Sauce Gardner present contrasting betting propositions. Herbig, a Steelers linebacker coming off a career-high 5.5 sacks, remains a backup behind starter Alex Highsmith, limiting his chances to accumulate sacks. His varying snap counts toward the end of last season and the playoffs reflect the challenge for backups to lead the league in statistical categories.
In contrast, Gardner is a proven cornerback with a respectable defensive record. Yet, interceptions are infrequent due to how rarely opponents target him, having totaled just three in his three NFL seasons. Betting on him exceeding his career interception total by a significant margin is considered optimistic and carries moderate odds.
The Context and Impact of These Defensive Bets on the NFL Season
The interest in defensive player futures, especially the wager on Travon Walker 20 plus sacks, underscores how bettors are drawn to bold, high-reward opportunities even when the statistical likelihood seems slim. Walker’s trajectory and the Jaguars’ defensive dynamics will be closely watched throughout the season for signs he can sustain and elevate his pass-rushing impact.
Should Walker defy expectations and reach or exceed 20 sacks, it would mark one of the most remarkable individual performances in recent NFL history, influencing future betting lines and player evaluations league-wide. Meanwhile, the broader defensive props market reflects a strategic mix of optimism and caution, weighing player roles, health, and historical trends.