{"id":733213,"date":"2026-02-06T10:36:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T10:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/733213\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T10:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T10:36:15","slug":"falcons-lose-our-on-droy-opoy-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/733213\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons lose our on DROY, OPOY awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Feb. 5, 2026, 10:46 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> for the explosive edge rusher.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite his monster season, Robinson lost out on the award to Seattle Seahawks<\/a> wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On the bright side, Robinson did get to DJ the ceremony (watch below).<\/p>\n

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