The Atlanta Falcons’ season is over, and with all the changes being made to the organization, it is important to note that the team performed well with the additions of rookie edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.
Here is a look at their first NFL seasons.
James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker’s College and Draft Profiles
The Falcons drafted Jalon Walker out of Georgia with the 15th overall pick and James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 26th pick was acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
At Georgia, Walker was a standout, playing in 43 games and totaling 89 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 blocked kick during his college career. In 2024, he was named an AP All-American Third Team selection, a Walter Camp All-American Second Team selection, and an All-America First Team member, and he won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. That résumé helped solidify his status as a first-round pick and a highly regarded NFL prospect.
At Georgia, Walker was a standout, playing in 43 games and totaling 89 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 blocked kick during his college career. In 2024, he was named an AP All-American Third Team selection, a Walter Camp All-American Second Team selection, and an All-America First Team member, and he won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. That résumé helped solidify his status as a first-round pick and a highly regarded NFL prospect.
Grading Walker and Pearce Jr.’s Rookie Seasons
In Walker’s first season with the Falcons in 2025, he recorded 36 tackles, 24 of them solo, along with 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Walker’s best game came against the New England Patriots in Week 9, when he posted 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection. The Falcons lost that game 24-23. Walker was named Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his performance against New England.
In Pearce Jr.’s rookie season in Atlanta, he totaled 26 tackles, 17 of them solo, along with 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and five pass deflections. His best performance came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15, when he finished with three tackles, two sacks, and two pass deflections. Pearce Jr. was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for December 2025. He also ended the season with the most sacks by a rookie since Micah Parsons’ rookie season, finishing with 10.5.
The duo of Walker and Pearce Jr. proved effective for the Falcons this year. As a pair, their rookie-season grade is a B. Individually, Pearce Jr. earned an A-plus, while Walker received a B-minus.