The Atlanta Falcons haven’t exactly lit the league on fire this season, but if there’s one bright spot fans can rally around, it’s the impact of their 2025 rookie class - and especially the two edge rushers who’ve helped redefine Atlanta’s long-struggling pass rush.
For years, the Falcons were known more for their inability to get after the quarterback than for putting fear into opposing offenses. That narrative has flipped in a big way this season, thanks to first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Together, they’ve helped push Atlanta into rare air - second in the NFL with 50 total sacks.
Let’s start with Pearce. The rookie leads all first-year players with 8.5 sacks, and he’s been a consistent disruptor off the edge since Week 1.
Atlanta liked him enough to trade away a future first-round pick to the Rams to move up and snag him - a bold move that raised eyebrows at the time. That pick, by the way, is currently projected to be 12th overall.
But with the way Pearce has played, head coach Raheem Morris isn’t second-guessing a thing. In fact, Pearce has played his way into the thick of the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Right behind him? His rookie teammate, Jalon Walker, who’s posted 5.5 sacks of his own.
Walker, the 15th overall pick, has shown impressive versatility - not just as a pass rusher, but as a guy who can drop off the line and still make plays. He’s drawn praise not only for his production but also for his leadership and presence in the locker room - rare intangibles for a rookie at a premium position.
The national spotlight is starting to catch up. NFL draft analyst Todd McShay recently released his 2025 redraft, and both Pearce and Walker were top-10 selections.
Walker jumped all the way up to No. 3 overall in McShay’s re-do, landing with the Giants in this hypothetical. McShay called him “one of the 10 best football players” in the class and raved about his toughness, versatility, and leadership.
Pearce didn’t fall far behind, going No. 9 overall to the Saints in McShay’s redraft. “He’s been absolutely awesome in Atlanta,” McShay said.
“Statistically, I think the best pass rusher from the rookie class.” That’s high praise, and it underscores just how impactful Pearce has been in his first season.
The Falcons took some heat for trading up to get Pearce, especially with a future first-rounder involved. But it wasn’t a one-for-one deal - Atlanta also received a third-round pick from the Rams, which they used to select safety Xavier Watts. Like his rookie classmates, Watts has stepped in and contributed right away, rounding out a draft haul that’s looking like one of the franchise’s best in recent memory.
Credit where it’s due: general manager Terry Fontenot has been under the microscope for some of his roster decisions in recent years, but the 2025 draft class is a clear win. Three rookies making real, on-field contributions - two of them already being redrafted as top-10 talents - is the kind of foundation that can shift the trajectory of a team.
And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. On Monday Night Football, the Falcons will host the very team they traded with - the Los Angeles Rams.
It’s a prime-time opportunity for Pearce to show the Rams exactly what they passed on. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.
ET on ESPN, and you can bet the Falcons' rookie class will be ready for the spotlight.