Falcons' Draft Has Caught the Attention of Team Legend

After seeing the defensive unit fall flat on its face last season, Atlanta Falcons fans wanted the team to address the pass rush and the front seven in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons’ brass must’ve heard their fan base because they drafted Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round.

Then, with their next two picks, the Falcons took safeties Xavier Watts (third round) and Billy Bowman Jr. (fourth round). Lastly, in the seventh, Atlanta took offensive tackle Jack Nelson out of Wisconsin.

Atlanta’s performance in the NFL draft caught the attention of former Falcons legend John Abraham, who likes what the team did. Abraham spent seven years in Atlanta, where he had 68.5 sacks, was named to the second team All-Pro in 2008, first-team All-Pro, and Pro Bowl in 2010.

"First of all, I think this is one of the best draft they may ever have. Going defensive first, this definitely shows that, ‘We hear you fans, like fans we hear you. We hear you talking about John Abraham was the last pass rusher we had.

We understand that, and we’re going to get Jalon Walker. We’re going to James Pearce Jr. And Xavier Watts, and Bowman Jr., respectively, as safeties coming in the third and fourth round is a great pick. But I definitely think it was a great draft. I think it was an A-plus draft. I think in a few years, we’re going to be happy with what happened."

John Abraham to 11Alive News in Atlanta

After seeing the Falcons only get 31 sacks last season, the fans hope that Walker and Pearce Jr. can turn this unit around in 2025 and beyond. 

Pearce was viewed as a top-5/top-10 selection before the college football season began. As for Walker, he could’ve easily been a top-10 pick but fell to the Falcons at No. 15. 

Atlanta already has the pieces on offense to win this upcoming season, now, they just need to see the defense take that next step with a new coordinator in Jeff Ulbrich calling the shots.

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