Character Validation Underway For James Pearce Jr. In Atlanta

"That was definitely something I suggested because they remind me -- they're a different position, obviously, different body type, all that type of stuff, but the personalities, demeanors," Morris said. "I remember A.J. came in and was just a really serious rookie when I had him, and James is a really serious rookie.

"You're going to be hard-pressed to get a smile out of him until he knows you. I kind of thought they had similar traits and similar things that I felt like, 'Hey, that would be a nice guy for you to kind of talk to.'"

Terrell would speak on his locker room neighbor saying, "Coming in as a rookie, you're trying to fit in with the locker room. But I feel like Day 1 with James, it was always love out the gate," Terrell said. "You know the type of -- I don't want to say pressure -- but the mindset of a rookie, coming in, you're just trying to come in and set your foundation and things like that.

"Being drafted so high, you feel like everybody expects you to do certain things, but you can still be yourself. Like, it's an open locker room where you can -- ain't nothing for us. Just continue to be you, and you will strive."

The Atlanta Falcons rookies are still finding their footing, but Terrell thinks Pearce Jr.'s personality will be the first to emerge out of its shell.