The Atlanta Falcons have hit the reset button, but they aren’t rebuilding, they are retooling. With rookie EDGE James Pearce Jr. at the center of it.
The Falcons are aiming to get back into the playoffs and now, their lauded first-round pick is continuing to gain attention.
NFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks named James Pearce Jr. as a long-shot but overlooked player who could walk away with some DROY hardware.
With a new quarterback in Michael Penix Jr., a fresh defensive mind in Jeff Ulbrich, and a retooled roster, Pearce Jr. and the Falcons are aiming for a return to playoff relevance.
Pearce Jr Overlooked As DROY Candidate
After finishing 8-9 last season, the Falcons have swept the franchise with fresh faces.
Enter James Pearce Jr, who was drafted not just to fill a need, but to be a difference-maker.
Pearce Jr’s arrival in Atlanta came with high expectations, with the Falcons trading back into the first-round of the 2025 NFL draft to pick him.
In addition, his natural ability, explosion and bend off the edge give Pearce a shot as the Falcons’ newest game wrecker.
With the national spotlight being on Pearce since he was drafted, it continues to shine in Bucky Brooks’ latest feature “Long-shot picks for major NFL awards in 2025″.
“While it’s easy to identify potential winners of the league’s most prestigious awards when choosing from the favorites that routinely dominate the conversation, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pick out some overlooked candidates.”
Brooks praised Pearce Jr’s traits as an edge rusher and how he could finally solve the Falcons’ pass-rushing woes.
“As a quarterback hunter for a team that desperately needs sack production and quarterback disruption, the No. 26 overall pick could make his mark immediately as a designated pass rusher in Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme,” said Brooke in his latest NFL.com feature.
If Pearce can consistently disrupt games over the course of the season, Falcons fans could be in for a treat.
New Defensive Era Dawns For Falcons
It is clear this season’s Falcons want to play with a faster, more aggressive demeanor.
And new DC Jeff Ulbrich is expecting results from this new approach, especially on defense.
The Falcons have struggled to maintain effective pass-rushing of late. That is why Pearce Jr’s arrival is pivotal.
His presence doesn’t just bring speed, it can bring disruption.
Having the ability to shoot off the edge, collapse pockets and end drives, are all skills many players covet.
The Falcons have a player in Pearce with these tools, he just needs to put them together.
Alongside Pearce Jr. is fellow rookie first-round pick Jalon Walker.
Walker gives the Falcons another weapon on defense and adds speed and range through the middle of the field.
Together, Pearce and Walker form the Falcons’ new defensive identity.
Consistency will be the key for Pearce Jr this season.
His ability to perform at the level the Falcons brought him in for, will shape a new dawn for Atlanta’s defense.
James Pearce Jr has the tools, the spotlight and the opportunity to be great.
The Falcons believe in him, the fans will be watching and if he plays it right, he could walk away with DROY honors.
