Falcons take Georgia standout Jalon Walker at No. 15 in NFL draft, trade to draft James Pearce

“Rise up,” Walker said. “We’re here. I’m ready to get after it.”

The Falcons, clearly in need of help on defense, went with Walker over pass rushers Mike Green of Marshall, Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M and James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee.

“It’s one of the biggest blessings in my life,” Walker said. “Of course having the title of being the first Dawg ever to be a first-round pick from the University of Georgia (by the Falcons) is great. I’m just excited to start my journey in Atlanta.”

The Falcons traded back into the first round to take Pearce with the 26th overall pick.

“We came into this draft and wanted to make an impact on the team,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. “We talked about it. We have to take impact players off the board regardless of where they are…To have impact defensive players there, obviously at 15, and then to be able to get back in and get another impact defensive player. Both (are) pressure players. True pressure player. Two of the better rushers in the SEC, that’s exciting.”

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

The Falcons received the 26th pick and the 101st pick (third round in this year’s draft) and sent their second-round pick (46th) and a seventh-rounder (242) and next season’s first-round pick to the Rams.

They traded their third-round pick for outside linebacker Matthew Judon in August.

The franchise lost its fifth-round pick for tampering violations in the 2024 free-agency signings of quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner.

The Falcons were in need of pass rush help last season but doubled down on the quarterback position and took Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.

Pressure was mounting on the personnel department to get pass-rush help and improve the defense.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the emphasis during the draft would be on the defense.

“The kid’s make up is obviously unique,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said of Walker. “All of the things we can do. All the places he can rush from. He’s an off the ball (linebacker). He’s an on the ball backer. He can do so many things. He’s versatile. He can set edges. There is not a whole lot that he can’t do. We met the kid in person and we fell in love with him.”

The search for pass-rush help was complicated by the fact that two of the top pass rushers — Green and Pearce — have background-check issues. Green led the nation with 17 sacks last season, but had sexual-assault allegations and a suspension from his time at Virginia.

Pearce also had a troubling run-in with law enforcement.

The Falcons not disclose if they were interested in Green.

“If pass-rush help was their target here, Mike Green would’ve been a better pick in theory, but his character evaluation may have ruled him out for Atlanta,” Pro Football Network NFL draft analyst Ian Cummings said. “There’s no disputing Walker’s mentality or dynamism in passing situations — the only question is how high his ceiling truly is as an outlier.”

Stewart also was a player to watch for the Falcons, according to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. He went two picks later to the Cincinnati Bengals.

During the predraft process, NFL teams told Walker they liked his versatility and how he can be moved around the defense to help exploit matchups.

“The versatile role that I had (at Georgia) translates a lot to their game in the NFL,” Walker said. “A lot of these teams want me to be a Swiss Army knife for their team.”

Walker had a right quad injury and didn’t work out at Georgia’s Pro Day. He has a private workout scheduled for April 17. He also attended Falcons’ Locals Day and had a strong work, according to other players.

Walker can play inside on early downs and then outside in passing situations to take advantage of his pass-rush skills.

“Versatility is something that I have always done,” Walker said. “The plan is to keep that thing of being a versatile thing going.”

He met with Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich during Georgia’s Pro Day. Ulbrich shared his vision for the defense with Walker.

He also talked with general manager Terry Fontenot during the locals day.

“It’s all been genuine,” Walker said. “It’s all been a mutual respect.”

Walker could help to improve the Falcons’ pass rush.

The Falcons have not had a double-digit sack performance since Vic Beasley had 15.5 in 2016.

Improving the pass rush is a major offseason priority for the Falcons, who finished with 31 sacks last season (ranked 31st in league).

The franchise has not had two players with double-digit sack totals in one season since defensive end Patrick Kerney (13) and defensive tackle Rod Coleman (11.5) terrorized quarterbacks in 2004. Jim Mora’s team went on to the NFC Championship game that season.

The Falcons heavily scouted the top pass rushers and offensive tackles in the draft. They sent a contingent of 22 coaches and scouts to Georgia’s Pro Day, including coach Raheem Morris and Ulbrich.

The draft is deep in pass rushers, defensive tackles and running backs.

The Falcons heavily scouted the offensive tackles because starting left tackle Jake Matthews is 33 and right tackle Kaleb McGary is 30 and set to enter the last year of his contract.

The Falcons received the 26th pick and the 101st pick (third round in this year’s draft and sent their second round pick (46th), seventh-rounder (242) and next season’s first-round pick to the Rams.

Fontenot didn’t believe the team gave up much for Pearce. The team’s belief and conviction in Pearce made it easier for them to give up next year’s first-round pick as part of the deal.

“You have to weigh out what you’re actually doing and what you’re doing it for,” Fontenot said. “We look at the trade first and all that stuff, but at some point you have to look at who’s the player, who are really getting and is it worth it. That’s what you really have to do.”

AJC’S 2025 POSITION-BY-POSITION DRAFT SERIES

Part 1, DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Michigan’s Mason Graham heads a deep defensive tackle group | Top 10 defensive linemen

Part 2, LINEBACKERS Georgia’s Jalon Walker one of top defenders in the NFL draft | Top 10 linebackers

Part 3, CORNERBACKS Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter hopes to play both ways | Top 10 cornerbacks

Part 4, PASS RUSHERS Draft is full with an array of pass-rushing options | Top 10 pass rushers

Part 5, SAFETIES Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Dan Jackson pro safety prospects | Top 10 safeties

Part 6, OFFENSIVE LINEMEN How early will former Georgia center Jared Wilson go in the NFL draft? | Top 10 offensive linemen

Part 7, TIGHT ENDS Penn State’s Tyler Warren is no Brock Bowers, but he’s pretty darn good | Top 10 tight ends

Part 8, WIDE RECEIVERS Wide receivers ‘OK,’ but lack star power of recent years | Top 10 wide receivers

Part 9, RUNNING BACKS Trevor Etienne among running backs hoping to surprise in rookie year | Top 10 running backs

Part 10, SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYERS With kickoff return emphasized, NFL teams looking for game-breakers in this year’s draft | Top special teamers

Part 11, QUARTERBACKS Fewer quarterback prospects for this year’s NFL draft after record-setting 2024 | Top 10 quarterbacks