James Pearce Jr. Is Making the Falcons’ Gamble Look Like a Steal
When the Falcons traded up in the 2025 NFL Draft to grab James Pearce Jr., it raised a few eyebrows - and not just because of the steep cost. Sending away a 2026 first-round pick is no small move, especially for a team that’s been in rebuild mode.
But now, with just a few games left in the season, that bold decision is aging like fine wine. Pearce isn’t just flashing potential - he’s delivering week in and week out, and he’s doing it with authority.
Let’s be clear: Pearce wasn’t even the first EDGE Atlanta took in the draft. That honor went to Jalon Walker.
But six straight games with at least one sack? That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a player finding his rhythm and imposing his will.
In Sunday’s 29-28 comeback win over Tampa Bay, Pearce got to Baker Mayfield twice, continuing a tear that has him sitting atop the rookie sack leaderboard with eight on the season.
That number doesn’t just lead all rookies - it leads the Falcons, period. And while other Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates are piling up tackles and splash plays, Pearce is doing the one thing that changes games: getting to the quarterback.
Sacks are drive-killers, momentum shifters, and statement-makers. And right now, Pearce is making a whole lot of statements.
A Record-Breaking Rookie Run
Pearce’s early-season impact was quiet, but since midseason, he’s been anything but. Of his eight sacks, 7.5 have come in the last six games.
That’s not just a sign of growth - that’s a player figuring it out and becoming a problem for offensive coordinators. And in the process, he’s etched his name into the Falcons’ record books.
With his performance against the Bucs, Pearce broke the franchise record for most sacks by a rookie in a single season. That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident.
It’s the result of elite burst, refined hand technique, and a motor that doesn’t quit. He’s not just winning off the edge - he’s disrupting entire game plans.
And while Kyle Pitts may have grabbed headlines with his own record-breaking night in Tampa, Pearce’s milestone deserves just as much attention. He’s not just having a good rookie season - he’s putting together one of the best defensive rookie campaigns in Falcons history.
Outplaying the Class - And the Expectations
Drafted 26th overall, Pearce came into the league with plenty of promise after a standout career at Tennessee. But even his biggest supporters might not have expected this level of production this quickly. He’s outperformed both Walker and Abdul Carter - two other highly touted rookies in this class - and is now the clear front-runner among rookie pass-rushers.
Last week, he tied a rookie record that Micah Parsons helped set. That’s elite company. And with three games left, double-digit sacks is well within reach - a mark that would put him in rare air for first-year defenders.
What makes Pearce’s rise even more impressive is that he’s doing it on a team that’s already been eliminated from playoff contention. At 5-9, the Falcons aren’t drawing much national spotlight.
And that’s a shame, because what Pearce is doing deserves attention. Rookie pass-rushers aren’t supposed to look this polished, this disruptive, this fast.
Fontenot’s Bet Is Paying Off
General manager Terry Fontenot took a risk trading up to get Pearce. But each week, that move is looking more like a masterstroke.
Pearce isn’t just producing - he’s changing the identity of this Falcons defense. He added two tackles for loss and two passes defensed against the Bucs, rounding out what might’ve been the most complete game of his young career.
And here’s the scary part: he’s just getting started.
Pearce has all the tools to be a cornerstone for this defense - and maybe even one of the league’s premier edge rushers in the years to come. The Falcons may not be in the playoff picture, but they’ve found a foundational piece. And while the cost to move up was steep, it's hard to argue with the return.
The Falcons needed a game-changer on defense. James Pearce Jr. is becoming exactly that.