Updated Feb. 5, 2026, 10:46 p.m. ET
The 2026 NFL Honors ceremony is wrapping up at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California, but it hasn’t been a big night for the Atlanta Falcons. Both Falcons rookies James Pearce Jr. and Xavier Watts were finalists for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, but neither took home the award.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was officially named Defensive Rookie of the Year at Thursday night’s ceremony. Atlanta’s two rookie standouts have a right to be upset, though.
Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks, helping the team set a new franchise record with 57 sacks last season. Atlanta traded up to get Pearce at pick No. 26 overall, giving up a future first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the explosive edge rusher.
Watts, a third-round pick out of Notre Dame, led all rookies with five interceptions. He stepped into a starting role next to Jessie Bates III in Week 1 and played like a seasoned veteran all season long.
Aside from the Falcons’ two rookies getting snubbed, running back Bijan Robinson also struck out for the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. The third-year running back finished the 2025 season with 1,478 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 79 catches for 820 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions.
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Despite his monster season, Robinson lost out on the award to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On the bright side, Robinson did get to DJ the ceremony (watch below).
