Instead of feeling pressure, the former Tennessee defensive lineman embraces Atlanta's big move.
Terrin Waack
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The Atlanta Falcons compiled a noteworthy trade package late during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to obtain edge defender James Pearce Jr., who was a player some predicted the Falcons might select at No. 15 overall. Instead, the Falcons used that pick to select Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker.
The package to move up for the Los Angeles Rams' No. 26 pick, which they used on Pearce, included the Falcons' second-round pick (No. 46) and seventh-round pick (No. 242) in this year's draft as well as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Atlanta also got a third-round pick (No. 101) from the Rams, so it was ultimately a two-for-three deal in Los Angeles' favor.
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- Atlanta lands two "true pressure players" in first round
That level of investment could put pressure on an incoming rookie. But not this 21-year-old.
"Some people might use negative to fuel their fire," Pearce said during his introductory press conference. "I feel like that was a super positive thing they did, and that fueled my fire. That put a lot of gasoline on there. Makes me want to go ahead and play for this organization a lot harder and a lot better."
Pearce comes to Atlanta from the University of Tennessee, where he was a two-year starter for the Volunteers. He had a standout 2023 season with 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He followed that up with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024. His 107 pressures the last two seasons were most in the SEC.
Looking to improve their defense, the Falcons showed vested interest in Pearce throughout the draft process, as recently as Wednesday even. Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot met with Pearce and his mother the day before action even began.
"We always talk about intangibles, and we want to bring in guys that love ball and love to compete as we build this roster the right way," Fontenot said. "We spent a lot of time with him making sure that he was going to fit."
Thursday's move back into the first round proved the Falcons think he does -- and Pearce felt that.
"They believed in me," Pearce said. "They believed in my talent. They believed in my skill set. They believed in me growing as a man."
On the first night of the NFL Draft, the Falcons added two proven SEC pass rushers in their rookie class. All parties are happy with the turnout so far.
Walker, who's from the University of Georgia, was actually late to the Pearce news; he was still wrapped up in the whirlwind of his own selection. Both players are from North Carolina, however, and played big-time football in the SEC. Unsurprisingly, Walker was excited to find out Pearce will be his teammate in Atlanta. Together, the two rookies will be key parts of the Falcons' plans to create a more dynamic defense.
"James is on a mission," Walker said. "We're all on a mission. We are here today because we have a mission. We have a pride about how we perform and how we go about things. My goal for me and James is just to keep pushing each other to the best of the ability we can."
Pearce has been playing football since he was 6 years old. He learned the game as he learned to read and do math. He loves it, as evidence by the multiple times he said so just between Thursday and Friday.
So, even though his selection story was unexpected, Pearce was just happy his phone rang. Because it means he has the chance to accomplish his next dream.
"Being able to have a chance to say I won a world championship," Pearce said. "I did a lot of winning growing up: state championships, little league national championships. But it's nothing like a world championship."
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