Updated Feb. 13, 2026, 12:26 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons initially appeared to have one of the NFL’s top draft classes last season, but recent events have changed that perception. Rookie James Pearce Jr. was arrested over the weekend and is facing five felony charges after crashing into his ex-girlfriend’s car and evading police officers.
Pearce was a finalist for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award, appearing at the NFL Honors ceremony just two days before his arrest. The first-round pick out of Tennessee led all rookies with 10.5 sacks while helping the team record a franchise-record 57 sacks last season.
Falcons safety Xavier Watts was also a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The third-round pick out of Notre Dame recorded five interceptions and was one of four rookies to start for Atlanta’s defense in 2025.
First-round pick Jalon Walker and fourth-round pick Billy Bowman Jr. also played key roles last season. Walker finished second in the NFL among rookies with 5.5 sacks and improved as a run defender as the year progressed. Bowman won the starting nickel job out of training camp and played well before his injury.
NFL.com released report cards for each team’s 2025 draft class. The Falcons’ grade dropped a bit due to Pearce’s arrest, but they still finished with a solid “B” and ranked 14th in the league.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.NFL.com’s grade for Falcons’ 2025 draft class: B
Considering the Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick in order to move up the board for Pearce last April, this could be a massive setback for the franchise. The serious development absolutely impacted Atlanta’s ranking in this comparatively frivolous undertaking. But Pearce wasn’t the only rookie standout for the Falcons in 2025. Xavier Watts tied for second in the league with five interceptions, showcasing the supreme ball skills that allowed him to pick off 13 passes in his final two seasons at Notre Dame.
Given that he lines up next to ballhawk extraordinaire Jessie Bates III, maybe we should just call this guy Jessie Bates IV. And Atlanta’s defense had two more noteworthy newbies: First-round pick Jalon Walker dealt with some injuries, but he still displayed a pretty complete game on the edge, while Day 3 find Billy Bowman Jr. was a physical presence at nickel before tragically tearing his Achilles during a November walkthrough. Pearce’s future is completely unclear at the moment, but the Falcons made significant defensive strides thanks to multiple players from this class. — Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
The team’s bold move to trade up for Pearce did improve the team’s sack numbers, but Atlanta still missed the playoffs for the eighth year in a row. Falcons owner Arthur Blank dismissed head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after the team’s Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Atlanta is going in a new direction under GM Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Regardless of what happens with Pearce, the Falcons still found some elite talent that should be a part of this team for years to come.
