When Terry Fontenot sent a 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in a draft day trade, Atlanta Falcons fans were livid. The Falcons parted with premier draft capital for the opportunity to trade up to the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, where Atlanta selected Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
For a team that was a borderline playoff team entering the season, it was a puzzling decision—and a future-defining move for Fontenot as he worked to retool the defense. If this move didn't hit, the fifth-year GM would be on his way out, but Pearce made an instant impact on Sunday Night Football against the Vikings.