The Atlanta Falcons made an extremely risky decision in the 2025 NFL Draft. After already selecting edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall, Atlanta traded back into the first round to select another edge rusher in James Pearce Jr. with the 26th pick.
What the Falcons gave away for Pearce was significant. Atlanta sent its 2025 second- and seventh-round picks, along with its 2026 first-round selection, to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Pearce and a 2025 third-round pick. The 2026 first-round pick is obviously the centerpiece of the deal, especially since it could become a potential top-10 selection the Falcons will hand the Rams in April.
Giving up that much for one player requires a clear payoff. At the moment, the Falcons’ record doesn’t reflect that — even after a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football, which put them at 5-9. But despite the rough season, Pearce has proven he’s every bit worth what Atlanta gave up to get him.
James Pearce Jr. Breaks Falcons Rookie Sack Record Against Buccaneers
The Falcons having another losing season isn’t a surprise. But James Pearce Jr. racking up sacks, exceeding expectations might be. Against the Buccaneers, Pearce recorded a sack for the sixth straight game, becoming only the fourth rookie since 1982 to accomplish that feat, according to Tori McElhaney. His two sacks on Thursday night gave him eight on the season, setting a Falcons rookie record, per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi.
“James Pearce Jr. is easily the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year in my book,” Falcons writer Will McFadden posted on X. “I’ve been surprised his play this year hasn’t been a bigger national story, because a rookie pass rusher doing this would usually get a lot of attention. He should be a story now.”
Again, why Pearce’s performances aren’t a larger national story likely comes down to the Falcons’ overall struggles. Atlanta was supposed to be competing for the NFC South this season, yet they’re going to finish much worse than they did in 2024 (8-9), Raheem Morris’ first year as head coach.
Pearce deserves enormous credit for what has become an impressive rookie season. Remember, multiple teams passed on the former Tennessee Volunteer due to perceived personality concerns. This has become one of the rare decisions where the Falcons clearly outperformed the rest of the league.
James Pearce Jr. Now Joins an Elite Group
What could finally bring broader attention to James Pearce Jr.’s record-setting season is the company he now keeps. His performance against the Buccaneers gives him more sacks in his rookie year than T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby had in theirs (7). Now, Pearce sets his sights on Micah Parsons and maybe more.
Parsons posted 13 sacks in his rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys. Pearce has eight with three games to go. But it’s not Parsons who holds the NFL rookie sack record. That belongs to former Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse, who set the mark with 14.5 sacks in 1999. That means Pearce would need 6.5 more sacks to tie the record in Atlanta’s final three games — or, if he’s feeling ambitious, 7 to break it.
The Falcons’ remaining games are at Arizona, followed by two home matchups against the Rams and Saints.
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