Reasonable expectations for Falcons first round picks

The Atlanta Falcons made two first-round picks in this year’s draft, selecting Jalon Walker 15th overall and then doubling down on pass rushers by trading back into the first round for James Pearce Jr.

The Walker selection was universally loved, while the move to trade a future first round pick for Pearce was met with widespread scrutiny. Despite that, Pearce has actually been the one making headlines with Walker sidelined due to a minor hamstring injury.

The star out of Tennessee slipped down draft boards amid concerns about his passion for football, a vague and often overused criticism that tends to resurface around draft season. But so far with the Falcons, there’s been zero indication that Pearce lacks drive. In fact, the Falcons coaching staff may eventually have to rein him in.

Pearce has been involved in a trio of training camp scuffles. That’s not going to fly on Sundays, but guys that typically lack fire aren’t willing to dive right into the middle of it when it’s not required. Pearce isn’t backing down from anybody, and outside of the scuffles, his teammates and coaches are appreciating the intensity he’s bringing to practice.

If Pearce were a stock, the arrow would be pointing straight upward, but it’s important to remember that it’s only training camp. There aren’t many negative storylines this time of year, and the transition from college to the NFL is rarely smooth for pass rushers. Very few players on the edge come into the league and make an immediate impact.

That said, Pearce brings real tools to the table. He’s twitchy, explosive, and fast for his size — a dangerous combination on passing downs. He’ll have a role early in obvious pass-rush situations, and if he can contribute a few timely sacks, that should be considered a successful rookie campaign. Run defense, however, is still a work in progress. He’ll need time to develop in that area, which may limit his usage on early downs.

The expectations for Jalon Walker are undoubtedly higher. He’s a tremendously versatile defensive player with excellent instincts, but there are also some concerns. Walker’s not going to be great in coverage immediately, and he’s a little undersized to be used strictly as an EDGE.

That puts the onus on defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and the staff to craft a role that maximizes his strengths. If used correctly, Walker has the potential to be a difference-maker immediately. If not, he could face a tough learning curve early on.

Predicting rookie performance, especially for defensive players drafted outside of the top 10, is always a gamble. But as far as expectations, both Walker and Pearce should make an impact immediately. It’s reasonable to believe Walker can step in and be a starter on this defense from day one, while Pearce should be a force in sub-packages early on as he gets his feet under him.