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

D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Apr 24, 2025

Published in Football

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The wait is over.

Since 1966, the Falcons had never drafted a player from Georgia in the first or second round of the NFL draft.

The Falcons drafted ex-Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker with the 15th overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“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.

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 away 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 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.

“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.

With just five picks, trading back in the draft certainly was in play for the Falcons.