Falcons Rookie Class Must Stand Out In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hery Acosta | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 8:11 PM ET

The Falcons had one of the best drafts when it comes to overall talent and needs for the roster. They figured out their defensive line and brought in some much-needed depth in their secondary that struggled in 2024.

Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. join a Falcons roster that was ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks and pressures in 2024. Both first rounders will look to make huge impacts as soon as they set foot on the field and will look to have rookie of the year type seasons.

While the first rounders are more than locked in to start week 1, players like Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. will be competing for a starting Safety spot to tag alongside Jessie Bates. All of these defensive rookies are going to be monumental for the Falcons to be on top of the NFC South and to make it far in the playoffs.

The Falcons are hoping to have their best season since they made the Super Bowl in 206 and the playoffs in 2017. With the young roster that the Falcons have, they will have some growing pains but also have a lot of star potential on this team.

Walker and Pearce have the highest expectations of the rookies, but Pearce was a draft day trade where the Falcons gave up a 2026 first round pick to take him. He will have crazy high expectations to live up to as a rookie.

The Falcons must rely heavily on these young stars if they want to exceed any expectations in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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