Of the five players the Falcons selected in this year's NFL Draft, the first four were on the defensive side of the football. That approach certainly made sense, as the Falcons finished 31st in sacks (31), 22nd in yards allowed per game (345.2), and tied for 16th in takeaways (18).
The four rookies added to the defense through the draft are an exciting group. The Falcons made improving the pass rush a priority, as the franchise picked up two standout SEC blitzers in Jalon Walker out of Georgia and James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee in the first round. In the third round, the Atlanta brass went with two-time All-American Xavier Watts, who starred at safety for National Championship runner-up Notre Dame.
Head coach Raheem Morris has made it known that he fully intends to get his rookies involved and making plays this season.
"Make no mistake about it, we're going to have some real intentionality about playing our rookies this year," said Morris. "Getting those guys on the grass and giving them an opportunity to play a significant amount of football for us."Falcons HC Raheem Morris
Could the Falcons fourth-round pick also be a significant contributor in year one?
Billy Bowman Jr. Standing Out Already
Rookie DB Billy Bowman Jr. also working with the 1st/2nd teams to open camp #Falcons
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) July 24, 2025
The Falcons grabbed Bowman in the fourth round of the draft, with what could prove to be a huge value at pick No. 118 overall. The former Oklahoma Sooner was a two-time All-Conference selection - First-Team Big 12 (2023), Third-Team SEC (2024) - in college, totaling 11 interceptions over the past three seasons. He took a nation-leading three to the house in 2023.
According to Kevin Knight of The Falcoholic, Bowman was already suiting up with the first and second-team defensive units during the first day of the Falcons' training camp. That certainly seems to suggest that the 22-year-old ballhawk could have an inside track to a starting role, at least in a nickel-back role. He could make an impact on special teams as well.
Even here in the early going, Bowman has become one Falcons player to keep an eye on this preseason.