In a season that many consider lost for the Atlanta Falcons, two rookie edge rushers have emerged as bright spots for the team’s future. Sure enough, Jalon Walker would go 15th overall in the real life 2024 NFL Draft. James Pearce Jr. wasn’t far behind at 26th and both have quickly catapulted themselves into buzz makers. Each remains foundational pieces on the current roster. Combined with their exceptional upside, they can inject new energy into an underachieving Falcons’ defense.
The Falcons made an aggressive move up to get their first rounders. They sent the Los Angeles Rams their own 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick swap for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. This deliberate organizational move speaks to the team’s intentional focus on creating a historic defensive front.
Jalon Walker, who played college football at the University of Georgia, and James Pearce Jr, a product of the University of Tennessee, both play the edge rusher position. Their paths crossed for the first time just before boarding the team airplane. It was a watershed moment — one that opened the door to the potential for an unlikely but powerful new alliance. Even with their common ground and related mindset approach towards the overall game, their types contrast drastically. Walker has a tendency to drop back into coverage more often than Pearce, displaying versatility that further diversifies their defensive game plans.
Both rookies have made an immediate impact on and off the field. Pearce Jr recorded sacks in five consecutive games from Week 10 to Week 14, exemplifying his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. Walker leads all rookies in assurance with a sack rate of 2.7%, Pearce Jr a wounded 2.4% behind him. If Walker picks up one more sack this season, he and Pearce Jr will be first in NFL history. Incredibly, they’ll become only the fifth rookie pair in NFL history to each record six-or-more sacks in a season.
Morris went on to talk glowingly about both players. He conceded it won’t be easy to get two first-round picks, but the reward is well worth it — bringing the franchise unprecedented value.
“It’s hard to get two first-round picks, and then when you do, sometimes you’ve got to give them something that you necessarily don’t want to,” – Raheem Morris.
Morris went on to explain his theory behind how taking calculated risks can pay dividends in a big way for the team.
“But if you see real good value in it and something that’s going to change you moving forward, I think you take an opportunity, and we did it.” – Raheem Morris.
Their development as players has been on display all season long. What stood out to Morris was their commitment and brotherhood, how they’re all in this together, figuring it out together and motivating one another to get better.
“They’re growing, they’re learning together. They’re giving us everything they have.” – Raheem Morris.
The relationship between Walker and Pearce Jr is one of support and healthy rivalry, spurring each other on to be better. Pearce reflected on their fierce desire to see each other shine.
“As long as we’re striking something, we should be good.” – Jalon Walker.
Walker said he felt a significant connection with Pearce Jr. He loves that their entire relationship is based on trust and loyalty.
“Football, naturally, is just a competitive game and just especially us, we always want the best out of each other.” – James Pearce Jr.
The Falcons have overcome a ton of adversity this year. The rise of Walker and Pearce Jr. continues to provide a hopeful picture for their as yet unfulfilled potential. The new coaching staff knows that improving these young horses will be paramount in changing the team’s whiplash Houston Rockets-like, dismemberment-inducing defensive identity.
“He wants the best out of me, whether if I’m slacking or he wants to do something better, we always on each other about little things. Minute things.” – James Pearce Jr.
Morris has worked diligently to ensure that both rookies learn how to practice effectively while maintaining professionalism on and off the field. Yet he recognized the challenges that they must survive and thrive in a tough, crazy, challenging environment.
“People might see us as polar opposites, but me and James really get along a lot and I just appreciate him, working with him, the relationship that we’ve built, the relationship that we’re still building, just having that honesty and that 100% in our relationship.” – Jalon Walker.
He followed that up by calling for an equilibrium between effort and work, and fostering a positive vibe within a team.
As they continue into the grind that is their rookie season, each player will face stampedes of tests characterized by technique and toughness. Still, they have proven their capacity to meet challenges up until this point. It is hard to overstate how important their performance will be in informing what the Falcons choose to do next.
“It was a little bit more like, ‘How do I actually practice?’ That’s where all the fights came in,” – Raheem Morris.
He continued by emphasizing the importance of balancing hard work with maintaining team harmony.
“And then, how do you practice as hard as we’re asking you to practice while being able to maintain the professionalism that’s necessary to go out there, to not piss off all your teammates?” – Raheem Morris.
As they progress through their rookie season, both players will undoubtedly face tests of resilience and skill. However, they have demonstrated an ability to rise to challenges thus far. Their performance will play a crucial role in determining the Falcons’ direction moving forward.
Leave a Reply