
The Atlanta Falcons made a move that puzzled many during the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. After taking linebacker Jalon Walker with the No. 15 pick, the Falcons traded back into the first round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Trading back into the first round to draft a player a team is high on is not a bad idea in of itself, especially since edge rusher is a position of need for the Falcons. What made the Falcons' decision to draft Pearce questionable was the amount of draft capital they gave up to get back into the first down.