The Atlanta Falcons’ 2025 rookie class was a good one. It featured multiple players with over five sacks, as well as Defensive Rookies of the Month and Week. The defense was a focal point for this rookie class, as they drafted two defensive players in the first round and more later on. Here’s the breakdown of some of the standout rookie seasons from the Falcons this year.
James Pearce Jr.
The Falcons drafted edge rusher James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Pearce Jr. has made a substantial impact so far, accumulating 10.5 sacks, 26 total tackles, a forced fumble, and 5 passes defended. He was even named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for December.
Jalon Walker
Linebacker Jalon Walker was drafted 15th overall out of UGA in 2025. Walker had 36 total tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Walker was all over the field for the Falcons this season. Some criticized Atlanta for drafting similar players in the first round, but it worked wonders for them as the duo of Pearce Jr. and Walker were making plays consistently.
Walker was named NFL Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his Week 9 performance against the New England Patriots, having two sacks, five total tackles, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble.
Xavier Watts
Safety Xavier Watts put on a show this season for Atlanta. The ball-hawking defensive back had 96 total tackles and 5 interceptions. He made an immediate impact, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
Watt’s impact was even more noticeable against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 on Monday Night Football, where he intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford twice. The Falcons got the victory 27-24 at home. Watts was taken in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Atlanta and was ranked seventh in PFSN’s NFL Safety Impact Metric.
Billy Bowman Jr.
Another rookie safety, Billy Bowman Jr., was taken in the fourth round out of Oklahoma. Bowman Jr. had 26 total tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. Bowman Jr. played in just six games, and his season was ended due to an Achilles injury.
Jack Nelson
Offensive tackle Jack Nelson was taken in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Atlanta out of Wisconsin. Nelson didn’t play very much in his first year with the Falcons, but was in more of a reserved role due to the veterans on the offensive line.
PFSN grades the Falcons’ 2025 rookie draft class with a B-.
