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PFF says Falcons' rookie duo will 'cause problems for opposing offenses'
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- PFF says Falcons' rookie duo will 'cause problems for opposing offenses'
The Atlanta Falcons talked a good game leading up to the 2025 NFL draft , and when Round 1 began, they delivered two massive upgrades to their pass rush. In a scenario that fans could only dream about, the team selected Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker , a projected top-10 pick, in the middle of the first round.
General manager Terry Fontenot then doubled down by trading up to pick No. 26 and selecting Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr. Both players fill huge needs and could potentially start for Atlanta next season. This was about as big of a splash as this team could have hoped for considering its lack of cap space and draft capital.
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Walker's versatility as a hybrid linebacker/pass rusher gives the team a ton of options for different potential looks. Pearce is a pure pass rusher who can be disruptive off the edge.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Falcons' pass rush as one of the NFL's most improved units after the draft. PFF's Mason Cameron thinks Atlanta's new pass-rushing duo "will cause problems for opposing defenses" this season.
The Falcons entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a singular focus: improve on defense. And they did so aggressively, executing a pair of trades to move up and secure defensive playmakers who could change the trajectory of the unit from Day 1. Festivities started with a bang as Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot landed Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. to inject new life into a pass rush that struggled mightily in 2024.
Atlanta ranked 31st in pass-rush win rate (34.2%) and 29th in total quarterback pressures (230). Given that Walker and Pearce earned a PFF pass-rush grade above 83.0 this past season, it's a good bet the Falcons' new pass-rushing tandem will cause problems for opposing offenses. -- Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus
The selection of Walker has drawn almost universal praise from NFL analysts, but many are split on the move to go get Pearce. Whether or not you're a fan of Pearce's game, the Falcons didn't give up as much as some analysts have made out.
Atlanta gave up a second-round pick (No. 46), a seventh-round (No. 242) and a 2026 first-round selection to the Rams for their first-rounder (No. 26) and a third-round pick (No. 101). Getting an additional Day 2 pick helped the team land Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts , who was considered one of the best overall values in the entire draft.
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Fontenot did what he needed to do, but he'll ultimately be judged on the team's win and loss record this season. Adding Walker and Pearce certainly helps Atlanta's chances of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season.
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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons pass rush ranked PFF's 'most improved' after 2025 NFL draft
