Atlanta Falcons Rookie Forecast 2025

Falcons Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia – Round 1

The Falcons entered the 2025 NFL Draft needing to improve their edge rush talent, and Atlanta was able to do that with two plug-and-play starters. Their first selection of Walker was a surprise that he got to their first-round pick. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder had an excellent 2024 season for Georgia with 6.5 sacks, 61 tackles, two passes batted, and two fumble recoveries. Walker was known to be a great leader and locker room presence, so he will fit in well with the football culture in Atlanta.

In the ground game, Walker plays hard and uses his speed and motor to track down ball carriers. He is a good pursuit run defender who charges hard with some strength as a tackler. As a pro, he could have issues with defending runs coming downhill straight at him. Walker’s size and length make him a Sam linebacker as he lacks the size to be lining up directly over offensive tackles as a base end in potential run downs. Walker can only serve as an edge rusher in obvious passing situations. Thus, he has some scheme limitations.

As a pass rusher, Walker can be dangerous. He has some good traits that lead to him getting to the quarterback, but also some significant limitations for the NFL. On the negative side, Walker lacks length and has short arms. That leads to him having issues getting off blocks when offensive tackles get their hands on him. There is nothing that Walker can do about his size, so he is going to have to play well around it. Walker is more effective when he blitzes compared to when he lines up as a pass rusher, so that is a little concerning for the NFL, as pro teams are adept at identifying blitzers. On the plus side, as a pass rusher, Walker plays really hard and tough. He has a burst off the ball with speed to get around the corner. He has a serious ability to close when he runs free. Walker has a good motor and doesn’t quit on plays with a relentless attitude.

The Falcons run a hybrid defense, and Walker is a great fit for head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Walker can play outside linebacker and rush off the edge, play some Sam linebacker in the base defense, and is very versatile in how he can be deployed. While his limitations may keep him from being a boom pick, I think Walker is a safe bet to turn into a solid starter.

2024: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT
2023: Matthew Bergeron, G
2022: Arnold Ebiketie, DE
2021: Richie Grant, S
2020: Marlon Davidson, DT
2019: Kendall Sheffield, CB
2018: Calvin Ridley, WR
2017: Sean Harlow, G
2016: Austin Hooper, TE
2015: Vic Beasley, DE
2014: Jake Matthews, OT
2013: Desmond Trufant, CB

Most Likely To Bust

I think the Falcons had the best draft in the league, and I do not see a pick with serious bust potential. Perhaps off-field issues could be a problem for James Pearce, but I think he landed with a perfect head coach in Raheem Morris to offer guidance and keep Pearce focused on doing his job. I think Atlanta won’t have any of their early-round picks go bust, and I think even their day-three picks stand a great chance of being solid depth players.

2024: Bralon Trice, DE
2023: Zach Harrison, DE
2022: Desmond Ridder, QB
2021: Jalen Mayfield, OT
2020: Matt Hennessy, C
2019: Kaleb McGary, OT
2018: Ito Smith, RB
2017: Takk McKinley, DE
2016: Deion Jones, LB
2015: Jalen Collins, CB
2014: Dez Southward, S
2013: Levine Toilolo, TE

Potential Boom Pick

James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee – Round 1

In the passing-driven NFL, teams always look for young edge rushers who can pressure the quarterback and Pearce was one of the best quarterback hunters in college football over the past two seasons. After his breakout season in 2023, Pearce stayed consistent in 2024 despite extra blocking attention. There is no doubt that Pearce has next-level ability and some God-given traits for hunting the quarterback.

The 6-foot-5, 242-pound Pearce is a pure speed rusher off the edge. He has a fast first step and instant acceleration to get upfield. If a tackle is slow out of his stance or is late to get depth in his pass set, Pearce is dangerous to produce a blow-by that gets to the quarterback in a blur. Pearce has the speed to turn the corner with quick twitch to dart to the inside when tackles overset to the outside. With smooth agility and explosion, Pearce has dangerous inside/outside speed rush potential. On plays where Pearce is blocked, he can redirect to chase down a scrambling quarterback, and Pearce will give a second effort. With his explosion and acceleration, Pearce flashed some speed-to-power potential occasionally last season. Pearce has the potential to be an impact player in the pass rush.

In 2023, Pearce had some ugly moments in run defense. There were plays in the ground game where he got absolutely destroyed. Pearce got pushed back out of his gap and pancaked five yards downfield. However, in 2024, Pearce’s run defense was significantly improved. He was stronger to hold his ground, did a better job of not getting pushed out of his gap, and was more stout at the point of attack. Pearce’s run defense still needs work for the NFL, but he is on the right track to be at least average.

In a league that passes more than it runs, I think Pearce is going to be an impact starter that produces double-digit sack totals. I think his speed rush off the edge is going to help Atlanta’s other edge rushers and interior defenders improve their sack totals as well. Pearce has the potential to be a Brian Burns-type pass rusher, and I think he could be an impact player as soon as his rookie season. Pearce could be a real boom pick in Atlanta.

2024: Michael Penix Jr., QB
2023: Bijan Robinson, RB
2022: Drake London, WR
2021: Kyle Pitts, TE
2020: A.J. Terrell, CB
2019: Chris Lindstrom, G
2018: Isaiah Oliver, CB
2017: Duke Riley, LB
2016: Keanu Neal, S
2015: Tevin Coleman, RB
2014: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT
2013: Malliciah Goodman, DE

Future Depth Player

Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma – Round 4

The Falcons went with the best player available in the mid-rounds and landed two safeties who are talented players. Third-round pick Xavier Watts was a huge steal, and he could be an excellent free safety to pair with Jesse Bates. Bowman had 55 tackles, two interceptions, and three passes broken up. Team sources say that Bowman is a gamer with a knack for making big plays, but he has some blown assignments and will bite on some play fakes. So, eye discipline is something Bowman (5-10, 192) can work on with good coaching from Morris and Ulbrich. With Bates and Watts in place, Bowman may not become a starter. However, I think he could be an excellent backup and special-teams contributor.

2024: Brandon Dorlus, DT
2023: Clark Phillips III, CB
2022: Tyler Allgeier, RB
2021: Darren Hall, CB
2020: Mykal Walker, LB
2019: Qadree Ollison, RB
2018: Russell Gage, WR
2017: Brian Hill, RB
2016: De’Vondre Campbell, LB
2015: Justin Hardy, WR
2014: Devonta Freeman, RB
2013: Robert Alford, CB