Atlanta Falcons DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Atlanta Falcons signed rookie first-round edge rusher James Pearce Jr. to a four-year, fully guaranteed deal on Monday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Falcons made a big trade back up -- they gave up a second-rounder this year and a first-rounder next year -- into the first round of this year's draft to take Pearce with the 26th overall pick to help bolster the defensive side of the ball. The team also took linebacker Jalon Walker at 15th overall. Pearce was originally a potential top-five draft pick before he underwhelmed a bit in his senior season at Tennessee with 7.5 sacks. His size is a question mark for an outside edge rusher, but Pearce's athleticism isn't in question. The Falcons are hoping their selections of both Pearce and Walker pay off immediately and boost their pass rush in 2025.

The Atlanta Falcons signed rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker to his four-year deal on Friday, the team announced. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it's estimated to be $20.56 million in total value. He would carry salary cap number of $3.74 million this year before topping out at $6.54 million in 2028. In addition to Walker, rookie safety Xavier Watts, defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. and offensive tackle Jack Nelson signed their rookie deals. Atlanta took Walker with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft out of Georgia. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will use the 6-foot-1, 243-pounder as an inside linebacker or as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in his first year in the NFL. In 11 starts with the Bulldogs in 2024, the 21-year-old had 60 tackles (10.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups.

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that he "wants to continue to develop" tight end Kyle Pitt's tight end skills and that he's "expecting Kyle to take a big jump" in Year 2 of the offensive system in 2025. The former fourth overall pick in 2021 -- the highest a tight end has been drafted in the NFL -- had 68 catches for 1,026 yards and a touchdown as a Pro Bowler in his rookie season while becoming the second TE in NFL history to post a 1,000-yard season, joining Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. However, the 24-year-old has disappointed the last three years with 1,625 yards combined and never finishing with more than 667 yards. He also suffered a season-ending torn MCL in 2022. We've heard in the past that Pitts has been primed for a big year, only for him to disappoint. For fantasy managers will to take the chance on him, Pitts is entering a contract year and will be working with impressive young quarterback Michael Penix Jr.