FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — A glaring stat on the Atlanta Falcons' 2024 resume was their sack count. The Falcons totaled 31, which ranked second to last in the NFL. Their pass rush was a pain point that carried into the 2025 offseason.

That's why the outward emphasis has been on defensive improvement ever since. Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft proved the Falcons weren't just spewing words. They meant business.

On Thursday night, according to ESPN Stats & Info, the Falcons became the first team in the last 15 years to take multiple edge rushers during the opening round of a single draft.

"We came into this draft and wanted to make an impact on the team," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. "And we talked about it: We have to take impact players off the board, regardless of where they are."

To kick things off, the Falcons used the No. 15 overall pick to select edge Jalon Walker from the University of Georgia. Walker, who's 6-foot-1, 243 pounds and 21 years old, totaled 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss with the Bulldogs in 2024. Walker also had five sacks in 2023 and is viewed as a hybrid player with untapped potential as a pass rusher.

"Kid's makeup, obviously, is unique," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "All the things he can do. All the places he can rush from. Obviously, he's an off-the-ball backer, he's an on-the-ball backer. He can do so many different things. He's versatile. He can set edges. There's not a whole lot that he can't do. And if you met the kid in person, you fall in love with him."

Atlanta wasn't set to pick again in the first round, but it had other plans. When pick No. 26 rolled around, a trade was announced. The Falcons sent the No. 46 pick in the fourth round, No. 242 pick in the seventh round and 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the No. 26 pick and No. 101 in the third round.

The Falcons then used that No. 26 pick to select edge James Pearce Jr. from the University of Tennessee. Pearce, who's 6-foot-5, 245 pounds and 21 years old, totaled 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss with the Volunteers in 2024. Peace had a career-high 10 sacks in 2023, too.

"Even if you don't watch tape, look at the numbers," Fontenot said. "Highest pressure rate in football. That's great, and it's been consistent in two years. This is a productive player. He can get off the ball. He's explosive. He's sudden. He's twitchy. He plays with violence. And so, whether it's in the run game or the pass game, he's disruptive."

Walker and Pearce join fellow edge Leonard Floyd as new pass-rush editions to the Falcons' locker room. Floyd, who's entering his 10th season in the league at 32 years old, was a free agency signing back in March. The 6-foot-3 and 240-pound veteran has totaled at least 8.5 sacks in each of the last five seasons, with a peak of 10.5 in 2020 and 2023.

Otherwise, the Falcons return two of their top three sack producers from last season: outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (six) and inside linebacker Kaden Elliss (five). The third, outside linebacker Matthew Judon (5.5), remains a free agent.

"Make no mistake about it: It is very hard to find pass rushers, and it is very hard to get out there on your first day and do it," Fontenot said. "But I got so much confidence in the people in the building to be able to go out there help these guys go out there and be the best version of themselves every single time."

Jeff Ulbrich has been tasked with improving the Falcons' pass rush as the new defensive coordinator. He has a strong history of doing so, too. His last team, the New York Jets, tied for 11th in sacks when he doubled as the interim head coach in 2024, but they were seventh in both 2022 and 2023 when he served solely the defensive coordinator.

"He is one of those coaches that he's going to have a clear vision, he's going to know how he's going to use them and how he's going to continue to develop them," Fontenot said. "So, Brich is obviously excited today."

Both Walker and Pearce will be in Atlanta on Friday for their introductory press conference, among other team-related responsibilities. Their first taste of on-field work isn't too far off in the future, with the Falcons' three-day rookie minicamp scheduled to begin May 9.

The draft obviously is over yet, either. The Falcons still have three pickings remaining – No. 101 near the end of Round 3 and then No. 118 in Round 4 and No. 218 in Round 7. But, so far, the rookie class consists of Walker and Pearce, and the Falcons are pretty pleased about that.

"Both pressure players, true pressure players," Fontenot said. "Two of the better rushers in the SEC. That's exciting. That's really exciting. So, a lot of work went into this. It was a good night."