As the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft wound down, the Atlanta Falcons made a very surprising move. They traded with the Los Angeles Rams to move up to pick number 26, selecting edge rusher James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee.
Here are the details of the trade:
Falcons receive the 26th overall pick in this year’s draft, and the Rams’ third-round pick Friday night.
The Rams moved down 20 spots to draft at number 46 overall, but also picked up Atlanta’s first-round and seventh-round picks in 2026.
Any time a draft day trade goes through involving first-round picks, it begs the question, who won the trade
Grading the Falcons Trade
The Falcons used their upgraded pick to draft James Pearce Jr. He was the second pass rusher of the night that Atlanta drafted. They had already landed linebacker Jalon Walker out of Georgia with the 15th overall pick. That makes this trade very intriguing from the Falcons’ perspective.Pearce Jr. was the only edge rusher in this year’s draft class to post a sub-4.50 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He has exceptional speed and quickness and is expected to contribute early in his career. There were even some people who had Pearce Jr. going to Atlanta with their 15th pick.
So, the pick itself is solid.
Everyone knows that Atlanta has had a putrid pass rush for years. In fact, they have ranked at or near the bottom of the league nearly every season since losing Super Bowl LI to the New England Patriots.
Adding two elite pass rushers with exceptional tape in college makes for a great first day.
However, they certainly paid a handsome price. If the Falcons are not dramatically better next season, the first-round pick could carry with it a ton of weight and be a big loss. Not to mention, moving into the first round on Thursday will cost the FalcoPearce Jr. was the only edge rusher in this year’s draft class to post a sub-4.50 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He has exceptional speed and quickness and is expected to contribute early in his career. There were even some people who had Pearce Jr. going to Atlanta with their 15th pick.
So, the pick itself is solid.
Everyone knows that Atlanta has had a putrid pass rush for years. In fact, they have ranked at or near the bottom of the league nearly every season since losing Super Bowl LI to the New England Patriots.
Adding two elite pass rushers with exceptional tape in college makes for a great first day.
However, they certainly paid a handsome price. If the Falcons are not dramatically better next season, the first-round pick could carry with it a ton of weight and be a big loss. Not to mention, moving into the first round on Thursday will cost the Falcons moneyns money
