The shock was when the Falcons traded up into the first round again for pick 26 where they selected another Edge rusher in James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee. The shocking part was not the pick itself but the fact that the Falcons gave up their 2026 first round pick, which could be valuable if this young team does struggle at first.

ATLANTA -- The 2025 NFL draft (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) began Thursday and is being held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Atlanta Falcons bolster their defense in Round 1 with Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 15, then traded with the Rams to land James Pearce Jr. at No. 26.