The Atlanta Falcons are quietly putting together a strong finish to their season, notching their second straight win with a 26-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. And while the headlines might go to the veterans, there’s no ignoring the contributions - and growing pains - of the team’s rookie class, especially their two first-round picks: edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and linebacker Jalon Walker.
Let’s start with the game-sealing moment. Just one day after being signed to the active roster, cornerback C.J.
Henderson made the play of the day, picking off Jacoby Brissett in the fourth quarter to put the Cardinals away for good. It was a clutch moment from a player who wasn’t even on the roster 48 hours earlier - the kind of midseason pickup that can quietly swing momentum for a playoff hopeful.
Now, back to the rookies. James Pearce Jr. didn’t have a monster stat line, but he still found a way to make an impact.
He recorded a half-sack - keeping his streak alive - and batted down a pass at the line. That said, this was one of his quieter performances of the season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pearce earned a 51.9 grade for his Week 16 effort, marking just the second time this year he failed to generate a pressure.
Even so, Pearce still leads all rookies with 8.5 sacks on the year. That’s not just impressive - that’s the kind of production that gets you noticed in a hurry. The raw pass-rush grade may not jump off the screen, but the tape still shows a player who’s active, disruptive, and growing into his role.
Jalon Walker, on the other hand, had a more muted outing. He finished with just one tackle and didn’t register any pressures, earning a 57.8 grade from PFF.
That said, he did flash some solid run defense early in the game - a theme that’s been consistent throughout his rookie campaign. While he hasn’t made a splash as a pass rusher, Walker’s been steady against the run, and that’s helped him maintain a respectable 72.8 overall season grade.
It’s an interesting contrast between the two rookies. Pearce has the eye-popping sack numbers and highlight plays, but Walker’s been the more consistent presence, especially in early downs. That kind of balance is exactly what Atlanta was hoping for when they invested two first-round picks in defensive talent.
Looking ahead, Week 17 brings a primetime showdown on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams - the very team the Falcons traded with to land Pearce. It’s a full-circle moment and a big stage for both rookies to show how far they’ve come.
For Pearce, it’s a chance to bounce back and remind folks why Atlanta was aggressive on draft night. For Walker, it’s another opportunity to build on a solid foundation and continue proving he belongs.
With two games left, the Falcons are still in the mix - and if their young defenders can take another step, they might just be the X-factor down the stretch.