Atlanta Falcons fans went berserk when Atlanta traded its 2026 first-round pick to the Rams to bounce back into the first round to draft James Pearce Jr. In total, the 2026 first, 2025 second, and seventh round picks seemed genuinely ridiculous to trade up just 20 spots.
For the first two months of the season, Pearce was slow to get going, and doubters looked right. Through his first seven games, the 21-year-old totaled 0.5 sacks, eight tackles, and one tackle for loss. A groin injury limited his play and caused him to miss a game.
Since the Week 9 loss to the Patriots, Pearce has been playing like a totally different beast.