ClutchPoints
There are plenty of reasons the Atlanta Falcons can be excited about their offense. And they may even have depth at quarterback if a trade doesn’t occur. But it is the defensive side of the ball where two Falcons veterans will see their roles pushed by rookies in the 2025 season.
First and foremost, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will put current starter Leonard Floyd on notice. Floyd is a nine-year veteran and he’s 32 years old. He’s coming off an 8.5-sack season with the 49ers in 2024. And the Falcons make his fourth team in the last four seasons.
But Pearce is charging hard and trying to make noise to steal the starting assignment.
Falcons’ head coach Raheem Morris said he sees similarities in Pearce and A.J. Terrell. The latter is the team’s longest-tenured defensive player, according to Sports Illustrated. It’s a personality thing, Morris said.
“That was definitely something I suggested because they remind me — they’re a different position, obviously, different body type, all that type of stuff — but the personalities, demeanors,” Morris said. “I remember A.J. came in and was just a really serious rookie when I had him, and James is a really serious rookie.
“You’re going to be hard-pressed to get a smile out of him until he knows you. I kind of thought they had similar traits and similar things that I felt like, ‘Hey, that would be a nice guy for you to kind of talk to.’ ”
Terrell said he already sees good things from Pearce.
“Coming in as a rookie, you’re trying to fit in with the locker room. But I feel like Day 1 with James, it was always love out the gate,” Terrell said. “You know the type of — I don’t want to say pressure — but the mindset of a rookie, coming in, you’re just trying to come in and set your foundation and things like that.
“Being drafted so high, you feel like everybody expects you to do certain things, but you can still be yourself. Like, it’s an open locker room where you can — ain’t nothing for us. Just continue to be you, and you will strive.”
Chris Trapasson chose him as the top pick for NFL defensive rookie of the year honors, according to cbssports.com.
“With Pearce as my No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class, I’m not backing away from that before any games are played,” Trapasso said, “Pearce is a sizable, athletic, refined and deceptively powerful outside rusher. (He) demolished the SEC the past two seasons with a cumulative pressure rate over 21%. I’ve written that statistic like 50 times the past four months. And I’m still astonished by it.”
Trapasson said Pearce is in a good situation to thrive with the Falcons.
“Atlanta has finished 32nd in sacks twice (2015, 2021) and 31st a ridiculous five times (2013, 2014, 2019, 2022,...
