The Atlanta Falcons made significant moves on the defensive side during the NFL Draft. With their first pick, they selected Georgia standout Jalon Walker. Shortly after, the Falcons made an aggressive move to secure James Pearce Jr. Atlanta continued to focus on defense throughout the draft, but those two names are expected to make the biggest impact.
The Falcons are excited about their incoming rookie class, and head coach Raheem Morris has already stated that the rookies will see substantial playing time this season.
“Make no mistake about it, we're going to have some real intentionality about playing our rookies this year," said Morris.
Morris also explained why the team prioritized the defensive line early in the draft. A major factor was last season’s lackluster pass rush.
“Raheem Morris says he was tired of getting grilled for the lack of a pass rush for the Falcons, and they were intentional about fixing that this offseason,” Falcons staff writer Will McFadden wrote. "That's got to change, and the only way to change that is to change that."
Walker stands out as the most exciting pick for the Falcons—without question. His versatility is unmatched, and he can line up almost anywhere. The plan is to help him develop his skills on the edge, an area new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is eager to refine.
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With OTAs currently underway, Walker has been putting in the work. As a rookie, he’s still learning, but that willingness to grow is one of his strengths.
“Raheem Morris says rookie pass rusher Jalon Walker is like ‘Instant grits.’ ‘You just tell him something and he goes out and does it the first time every time.’” McFadden wrote.
Walker is on track for a strong rookie campaign. Listening to his head coach is key to his development, and it’s clear he’s a quick learner. Morris believes he’s found his guy.