ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons only had five draft picks, but they bolstered their defense in Round 1 with Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 15, then traded with the Rams to land James Pearce Jr. at No. 26.
Here's a closer at each of Atlanta's selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1: No. 15 overall, Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
My take: Walker falling to No. 15 was a bit of a surprise, considering he was one of the most highly rated defenders in the entire draft. So, this can be viewed as a big win for the Falcons. Walker is not the perfect fit. Atlanta needed an edge rusher more than anything and Walker can certainly fill that role. But he played mostly off the ball for Georgia last season and his size -- 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds -- projects more as an inside linebacker. Expect new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to move Walker around plenty and use him in creative ways.
Key stat: Walker is the first player from the University of Georgia drafted by the hometown Falcons in the first or second rounds since 1966. That seems absurd considering how good the Bulldogs have been and how well players who come out of the program have fared in the NFL. The Eagles defense had several Georgia defenders as regulars when they won the Super Bowl in February. Well, Bulldogs fans in Atlanta can rejoice now.
Will he start as a rookie?: At the very least he'll be part of a rotation at inside linebacker or on the edge -- potentially both. Ulbrich talked a lot in his introductory news conference about wanting the Falcons defense to be multiple and not just be a 4-3 or 3-4 system. Walker has the versatility to excel in an Ulbrich scheme. He even took 50 snaps at slot cornerback for Georgia last year. Walker was one of only eight players across FBS to play at least 300 snaps at outside linebacker, 200 snaps at inside linebacker and 50 snaps at slot corner in 2024.
Round 1: No. 26 overall (via L.A. Rams) James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
My take: The Falcons needed a pass rusher more than anything in this draft and walked away with one of the best edges -- with their second pick of the first round. Trading up was pricey. Atlanta needed to send a 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams to get back into the first round. But the Falcons came away with Pearce, who was perhaps the best pass rusher in the SEC in 2024 with 7.5 sacks. The Falcons were lacking speed on defense and Pearce ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Key stat: Pearce's 19.6% pressure rate since the start of 2023 was the second highest in the FBS among players with at least 400 pass-rush snaps. The only player with more? Abdul Carter, who went No. 3 to the Giants. Pearce also did it in the SEC against some of the best teams in the country. For a team starved for players who can get to the quarterback, that is a great sign for the Falcons.
Will he start as a rookie?: Pearce will almost surely be part of a rotation on the edge with new signee Leonard Floyd, Arnold Ebiketie and Bralen Trice, the Falcons' third-round pick in 2024, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL. His presence will also allow Walker to play off the ball and be a threat in the blitz. Atlanta did not re-sign edge rushers Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter, so Pearce will almost certainly see a lot of snaps as a rookie.
Round 3: No. 96 overall (via Eagles): Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
My take: The Falcons traded up once again, sending the No. 101 pick and a fifth-rounder next year to the Philadelphia Eagles. Watts is a true ball hawk who had 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. Atlanta could use that kind of playmaker in its secondary alongside Jessie Bates III, one of the best safeties in the league. The Falcons promised to focus on their defense, and they certainly have the past two nights, picking up an edge rusher, a linebacker and now a safety.
When will he be expected to get regular playing time?: The Falcons didn't re-sign veteran safety Justin Simmons, though they did sign Jordan Fuller in free agency and brought back DeMarcco Hellams, who missed all of last season with an ankle injury. Watts figures to be in the mix for playing time with Fuller and Hellams and could end up starting.
What's next: The Falcons will likely be looking at cornerback, defensive tackle or offensive tackle the rest of the way, though don't be surprised if they take the best player available. Atlanta's defense has improved itself over the past 48 hours, but the team could use players who can be depth pieces on the interior of the defensive line or in the secondary.
Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma
My take: A bit of a surprise pick, considering the Falcons already drafted Watts in the second round and have other needs like defensive tackle and center. But Bowman, like Watts, is a ballhawk and has even more speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash). He had 11 interceptions over three college seasons, including six in 2023. Perhaps the Falcons could give him a try at nickel corner? Their situation there hasn't been fully hashed out yet. In any case, Bowman is another quality player from a major program who fits what Atlanta has tried to do in this draft: overhaul the defense.
Round 7, No. 218 (from Cleveland through Los Angeles Chargers): Jack Nelson, T, Wisconsin
My take: Nelson was likely the best player that the Falcons felt was available at this stage, a 6-foot-7, 314-pounder who played left tackle the last three seasons for Wisconsin. Atlanta had a hole to fill at defensive tackle, but there was also a need for depth at tackle. Left tackle Jake Matthews is 33 and right tackle Kaleb McGary will be expected to cover a blind side -- quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is left-handed -- for the first time in the NFL.