The Atlanta Falcons finished with an 8-9 record during the 2024 NFL season. Atlanta missed the playoffs once again.
Despite having elite talent on offense, the Falcons in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft addressed its defense. Jalon Walker was the 15th overall pick from the Georgia Bulldogs. Atlanta decided to trade back into the first-round with the Los Angeles Rams and select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. from the Tennessee Volunteers 26th overall. These two selections will no doubt help Atlanta moving forward. One NFL insider talked about what Atlanta’s draft means moving forward.
NFL Insider Makes Fascinating Comments About the Atlanta Falcons Drafting James Pearce Jr.
It was not a shock to see the Falcons draft a defensive player 15th overall, but it was a shock to see Atlanta trade back into the first-round and draft Pearce, another edge rusher. There is no doubt that the Falcons needed to improve its pass rush.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN went into depth for each NFL team after the 2025 NFL Draft. Fowler said about Atlanta trading back into the first-round,
“Atlanta’s move back into the first round to secure pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was perhaps the boldest move of the week.
Giving up the franchise’s 2026 first-rounder comes with risk, which the Falcons were willing to accept for a chance to fix their uneven pass rush once and for all.
Walker was considered one of the safest picks in the draft, and Pearce, should he maximize his immense skill, has star potential.
“What concerns me is they gave up a first-rounder for a player with character concerns,” an NFC executive said.
Pearce was considered a divisive figure in the draft process. Sources told ESPN that Pearce was off multiple teams’ draft boards because of maturity concerns.
But Atlanta spent significant time with the player in the predraft process, vetted any concerns and feels good about his ability to assimilate to the NFL.”
In 13 games with Tennessee with the 2024 college football season, he recorded 38 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. Having Walker and Pearce on the edge for Atlanta will help them moving forward. It appears as if trading there first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is going to be worth it for them in the long run to get back to the playoffs.
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