FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith posed the question himself.
"Did we walk out with pressure players and potential starters at four spots on defense?" he asked during his post-draft press conference.
He also provided the answer.
"Yes. We feel comfortable with those guys having a real chance to become starters for us."
Those guys would be edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., as well as defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. They make up the majority of the Falcons’ 2025 draft class. The only other draftee was offensive tackle Jack Nelson, who was selected in the seventh round and is expected to be develop behind a starting line that is essentially set.
Defense was always Atlanta's priority entering this year's draft. That's why, for the first time in Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot's tenure, the team drafted a defensive player in the first round and selected Walker at No. 15. They then doubled down on that approach and made a first-round trade to acquire a second defensive player in Pearce at No. 26. Atlanta continued to add to its defense by selecting Watts at No. 96 in the third round and Bowman at No. 118 in the fourth round.
Five picks tied for the Falcons' fewest in franchise history, but those involved with the selections were pleased and believe those players can make an early impact.
"It's always quality over quantity in our minds," Smith said.
That quality is going to come in clutch this season, especially if all four are able to crack the starting lineup right away or later on during the 2025 season.
Walker and Pearce are expected to be essential assets to the Falcons' pass rush, which ranked second to last in the league last season with 31 sacks. Walker totaled 12.5 sacks through his three seasons at the University of Georgia, including a career-best 6.5 in 2024. Pearce had 19.5 during the same time frame at the University of Tennessee. His 10 sacks in 2023 led the SEC.
The Falcons haven't had a player produce a double-digit sack count since outside linebacker Vic Beasley totaled 15.5 in 2016. He was the eighth-overall pick in the 2015 draft and posted four sacks while starting every game for the Falcons as a rookie.
It's possible Walker and/or Pearce could follow a similar path, especially since the Falcons are in search of a breakout pass rusher. Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, who led the Falcons with six sacks in 2024, is back and looking to build on a strong finish. Whether a player is new or returning, affecting the quarterback remains a top priority.
Not all players are on the same timeline, though, and it's important to have realistic expectations for these rookies.
"There's a development piece that has to happen with all these guys," Smith said. "Like there is a development piece to Jalon; he's going to go in that edge room and we're going to have him master one position to start. James, there's still a development piece. They're all (in need of) development. But obviously the lower you go in the draft, the more probably development pieces that there are."
Watts and Bowman each enter with their own proven resumes, too. Watts' 13 interceptions at the University of Notre Dame and Bowman's 11 for the University of Oklahoma ranked first and third in the NCAA from 2022-24.
Watts will compete against Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams for the starting safety spot opposite Jessie Bates III. Bowman is being placed at nickel, where he will compete with last year's starter, Dee Alford. Because there is depth at each position, Watts and Bowman can work to develop specific parts of their game while trying to earn live reps.
The plan for each player is surely different and will evolve as coaches learn individual strengths and weaknesses. The expectation, though, is all four of the defensive additions will take the field at some point this season.
"We thought that those guys have the chance," Smith said. "Obviously, there's potential starters, there's Day 1 starters."
Join us as we take a look at the 2025 NFL draft class for the Atlanta Falcons, presented by American Family Insurance.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sacks TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) works against Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts to making a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
UTEP quarterback JP Pickles (19) is sacked by Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) lines up for a play during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Photos of the Georgia Tech vs Notre Dame Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) leaps up to try and make an interception near the sideline as Northern Illinois full back Brock Lampe (49) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) tries to rip the ball away from Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Scenes from the College Football National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) celebrates after intercepting a Texas pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) tackles UCF running back RJ Harvey (7) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. warms up before an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Texas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) tackles BYU running back Aidan Robbins (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson smiles on the bench during the an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin's Jack Nelson lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin's Jack Nelson lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
