A Bold Draft Strategy
The Atlanta Falcons took an aggressive approach in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting two edge rushers in the first round. With edge defense being their most glaring weakness last season, the move made plenty of sense. Among those selections, the team sees standout potential in Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., taken with the 26th overall pick.
A Complete Skill Set
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich expressed excitement about Pearce’s potential, highlighting his versatility and impact on the field. “His demonstrated win-rate, his demonstrated bag of moves whether it’s beating you with his 4.4 speed of the edge or his ability to counter,” Ulbrich said, via the team’s official site.
“That, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for the amount of power that he has in his body as well. He’s got the full arsenal. Can we improve it? There’s no doubt. But the starting point is so much better than most.”
Pearce arrives in Atlanta with an impressive college résumé, including back-to-back All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024. However, Ulbrich knows that college success is only a foundation to build on in the NFL.
A Fit in a Rebuilt Front
The Falcons’ defensive front has seen major changes. Grady Jarrett and Matt Judon are gone, while newcomers like Leonard Floyd and fellow first-round pick Jalon Walker step in. Pearce is expected to begin behind Floyd on the depth chart, but Ulbrich believes Pearce won’t take long to stand out.
“There is a natural fit there,” Falcons area scout Ryan Doyal explained. “Just because (Ulbrich) is looking for guys who get up the field quickly, that have explosion, that have twitch, that have burst, and can finish and close to the quarterback. James is all of those things.”
“Ulbrich wants juice coming off the edge, and James comes screaming off the edge. So, if you’re looking for that guy who really changes the count and tempo of how teams have to play us, that’s where James fits in.”
High Hopes for Pearce
The Falcons clearly have big expectations for Pearce as he begins his NFL career. “He’s a guy who is going to be a force to be reckoned with,” outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith said.
