Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons had used their previous four 1st Round Draft picks on offensive talent, and in doing so, they’ve built an offense that is expected to make a major leap forward this season. But this past April, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot shifted his focus to the opposite side of the ball, using four of Atlanta’s five picks on defensive upgrades.
That includes not one, but two top-tier edge rushing prospects who made their bones in the big, bad SEC.
Jalon Walker (15th overall pick) and James Pearce Jr. (26th overall) are not only being counted on to make an immediate impact for Falcons first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, but they’re also expected to be among the most productive first year players in the entire league. And according to CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso, they’re each considered among the best value bets to ultimately be named Defensive Rookie of the Year next February.
“With Pearce as my No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class, I’m not backing away from that before any games are played, and +1700 represents magnificent value,” Trapasso says. “Here’s why: Pearce is a sizable, athletic, refined and deceptively powerful outside rusher who demolished the SEC the past two seasons with a cumulative pressure rate over 21%.”
Although Jalon Walker’s odds (+750) are better than Pearce’s at the moment, Trapasso’s interest in the former Georgia Bulldogs star seems to be dependent on how exactly he’ll be unleashed within the Falcons defense.
“If Walker is predominantly bending the corner in passing situations, I love his upside in Raheem Morris’ defense. If Atlanta asks him to cover as an off-ball linebacker, I don’t love it,” writes Trapasso. “Walker will absolutely make plays against the run due to his quick trigger and high-level speed to the football.”
While some questioned Atlanta’s decision to double-dip at edge rusher, it may not be the worst course of action for a franchise that has ranked in the bottom-two in sacks seven times in the last 12 seasons.
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