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CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco breaks down the Falcons’ best and worst picks in 2025 NFL draft
To some, the Atlanta Falcons made home-run selections in the 2025 NFL draft by doubling up on edge rushers in Round 1. Others felt the team reached and gave up considerable value to draft a player with reported character concerns.
In a lot of ways, the decision to move up for Tennessee James Pearce shows the front office’s level of desperation entering the 2025 NFL season. It’s beating a dead horse at this point to keep reminding everyone how bad the Falcons pass rush is and has been for almost a decade.
However, it’s a needed reminder when analyzing the team’s actions during the draft. They were always going to take an edge rusher at 15, and the team’s lack of offensive scouting backs this up.Atlanta’s offense is well ahead of the defense at this point, which warranted an aggressive move to upgrade the pass rush.
Everyone isn’t going to agree, though. Another NFL analyst, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, listed the Falcons’ best and worst selections in the 2025 draft. Prisco labeled Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker as the team’s best pick.
“It was their first pick, edge Jalon Walker,” said Prisco. “He was considered a top 10 selection by some, yet ended up going 15. He can do a lot of things which they will love on their defense.”
It surprised those around the NFL to see Walker drop to Atlanta. Many scouts projected the Falcons to select Mike Green or Shemar Stewart, so landing Walker was a major win. Prisco thought Pearce was Atlanta’s worst pick.
“It’s not that edge James Pearce Jr is a bad player. In fact, I think he has top 10 talent,” stated Prisco. “But there were some character concerns, and they gave up a bunch to trade up and get him, including a 2026 first-round pick.”
While many around the team believe Terry Fontenot could be out of Atlanta if the team fails to make the playoffs this year, the Falcons GM could face similar scrutiny if Pearce doesn’t pan out.
Ultimately, this was a win-now move, and that’s all the team is concerned about going into 2025.
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