When the Atlanta Falcons made the aggressive move to trade back into the first round last year and grab James Pearce Jr., it sent a clear message: they were ready to invest in a game-changing pass rush. Pairing Pearce with Jalon Walker, whom they took earlier at No. 15 overall, gave Atlanta a dynamic young duo on the edge - and Pearce wasted no time proving his worth.
In his rookie campaign, Pearce delivered exactly what the Falcons were hoping for - 10.5 sacks and five pass deflections. That kind of production from a first-year edge rusher is the stuff defensive coordinators dream about.
He brought speed, power, and a relentless motor off the edge, and his presence was felt every time he stepped onto the field. But as impressive as Pearce was, the cost of acquiring him - a 2026 first-round pick - is now coming into focus.
That pick now belongs to the Los Angeles Rams, and while the Falcons can be proud of Pearce’s impact, they’ll be watching this year’s first round from the sidelines. As it stands, Atlanta is the only NFC South team without a first-round selection in 2026.
Could they trade back in again? Sure.
But should they? That’s a different conversation.
The price of doing so - especially after last year’s bold move - may be too steep.
Meanwhile, the rest of the division is gearing up to add more firepower. The Panthers, Buccaneers, and Saints all have opportunities to land impact players early, and that could shift the balance of power in the South even further.
The Panthers, in particular, are in a position to build on a division-winning season under head coach Dave Canales. They’ve got momentum, they’ve got direction, and in the latest mock draft, they may have stumbled into a potential steal.
At No. 19 overall, the Panthers are projected to land Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker - a player who, not long ago, was viewed as a surefire first-round talent. Though his production dipped slightly from his standout 2024 season, where he posted 11 sacks, Parker still made a major impact for the Tigers and remains one of the most disruptive defenders in this draft class.
If Carolina does end up with Parker, it could be a serious problem for the Falcons and the rest of the NFC South. The comparison has already been made: Parker to the Panthers could mirror what Pearce was to Atlanta - a young, high-upside pass rusher who hits the ground running. And if Parker develops anything like Pearce has, the Panthers’ defense could take a major leap forward.
For Falcons fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow. While Pearce is already delivering results, the price tag - a missing first-rounder - could come back to haunt them if the rest of the division loads up on young talent this April. The NFC South is tightening up, and every draft pick - especially in the first round - matters.
Atlanta bet big on Pearce, and so far, that bet is paying off. But now they’ll have to watch and wait as their rivals take the stage on draft night, hoping that none of them - especially Carolina - find the next breakout star.