Falcons first-round pick tied for most QB pressures among rookies

The Atlanta Falcons didn't get the result they wanted last Sunday when they opened the season at home against Tampa Bay . Despite the 23-20 loss to their NFC South foes, there was some promise shown in a key area that has been a thorn in the side of this team for years.

The Falcons, after taking Jalon Walker with the 15th overall pick, traded up to get Tennessee 's James Pearce Jr . with the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The selection of the pair proved that the front office understood that massive issue the team's lack of pass rush had become.

After finishing near the bottom of the NFL in quarterback pressure rate last season, the Falcons generated a top-10 QB pressure rate ( 40.5 percent ) in the first week of their 2025 campaign. Some of that pressure came from one of the team's rookie edge rushers.

Pearce tied Adbul Cater of the New York Giants for the most QB pressures by a rookie in Week 1, as The 33rd Team illustrates below.

While it is impressive that Pearce and his teammates were able to generate that much pressure, the Falcons still let Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield get away too many times. Mayfield was only sacked once, however, Atlanta did a decent job containing the Bucs offense for much of the game.

At this point in Pearce's career, showing signs that he can at least get there and disrupt the play is what the Falcons need and his craft can be fine-tuned as he develops as a player. The rookie received 23 snaps in the opener. Don't be surprised if that number goes up against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Rookie James Pearce Jr. has most QB pressures