2025 April - Pro Football Rumors

Month: April 2025

Panthers’ View Of OLB Depth Impacted Tetairoa McMillan Pick

April 30th, 2025 at 3:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers have now made three first- or second-round wide receiver picks in three years, bringing in Jonathan Mingo, Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan. Although McMillan’s arrival can be viewed as a sign of early concern regarding Legette, Bryce Young made a push to have the Arizona WR prospect routed to Charlotte.

Young’s endorsement notwithstanding, the Panthers passed on improving their league-worst defense at No. 8. They circled back to their glaring outside linebacker need by using both their Day 2 picks (Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen) on the position, with these picks coming after the team shopped Jadeveon Clowney before the draft. The McMillan pick also emerged due to Carolina brass’ view of the draft depth at wide receiver and edge rushers.

Carolina believed this class featured better Day 2 options on the edge compared to wide receiver, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer. This led to the team filling its WR need early while betting it could land edge players soon after. The Panthers did pass on Jalon Walker, whom Breer adds the team had graded highly, to select McMillan. Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen also checked in high on the Panthers’ board, per Breer. Those defenders went 15th and 16th, respectively.

Given the Panthers’ modest approach to replacing Brian Burns last year, passing on Walker is risky. Carolina ranked last in points and yards allowed in 2024, despite its three-win improvement from a dismal 2023, and HC interest in Ejiro Evero — a 2023 and ’24 storyline — dimmed. The Panthers lost their 2025 second-round pick (No. 39), the final asset conveyed in the Young trade, but had picked up No. 57 from the Rams (via the 2024 Braden Fiske swap). The team traded up to Denver’s No. 51 spot for Scourton, who drew some late-first-round buzz. They then traded up (via the Patriots) to No. 77 for Umanmielen. The team will hope the former Texas A&M and Purdue edge rusher can hit the ground running, as Clowney may not be around as a veteran presence.

The Panthers have spoken with multiple teams on Clowney, and GM Dan Morgan did not confirm his roster spot. If Clowney is to return, The Athletic’s Joe Person notes his workload will be reduced. Clowney played 57% of the Ravens’ defensive snaps in 2023 but 64% of the Panthers’ last season. He finished with 5.5 sacks and four pass deflections — both numbers down from 2023. Clowney, 32, did match his Baltimore TFL number (nine) in his first Carolina season. If the former No. 1 overall pick is to return, he will be viewed as a bridge player while the rookies develop alongside free agency addition Patrick Jones. Clowney entering the season as a Panther also would make him a fairly obvious deadline chip.

As for the Panthers’ McMillan move, it came as the 49ers and Packers joined the Rams in showing interest. The Cowboys also appeared ready to take McMillan at No. 12. The 49ers joined the Rams in attempting to trade up with the Panthers, Breer adds.

Passing on a rumored trade-down maneuver, Carolina had shown increased interest in McMillan as the pre-draft process progressed. A late Zoom meeting with WRs coach Rob Moore helped seal the deal, per Breer, who adds the team’s “30” visit with the 6-foot-4 pass catcher did not go as well. McMillan landed in Carolina after a string of meetings elsewhere, potentially contributing to his lack of energy during the team’s in-person visit.

McMillan will team with Legette, Jalen Coker and Adam Thielen as Carolina’s top receivers. As long as Thielen is in the mix, one of the young players would stand to draw backup reps. It would seem Thielen will be tied to trade rumors for a second straight year.

Packers To Pick Up DT Devonte Wyatt’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 1:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another team with two fifth-year option decisions to make before Thursday’s deadline, the Packers will make one by deciding to extend a contract to 2026. They are picking up Devonte Wyatt‘s fifth-year option, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

The young defensive tackle will lock in $12.94MM guaranteed for 2026 as a result of this transaction. The Packers still have a decision to make on linebacker Quay Walker, though recent history at the position points to that option being declined.

The No. 28 overall pick in 2022, Wyatt has notched 10.5 sacks across the past two campaigns while logging snap shares of 50% and 41% during that span. That usage left the Georgia alum — one of five Bulldogs defenders drafted in the 2022 first round — on the bottom tier among D-tackle option prices. Wyatt, 27, has rarely started in Green Bay. He made zero starts in 2022 or ’24 but still managed to make a steady impact over the past two seasons.

Pro Football Focus graded Wyatt 37th among interior D-line regulars last season, though the advanced metrics site assessed his interior pass rush as far better than his run defense. A heavier workload could result in stronger production, although improved play against the run would no doubt be needed for an uptick in usage to come to bear.

Wyatt has combined to total 20 QB hits and 15 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, making it interesting he has not served as a regular starter. The Packers still have veteran Kenny Clark on their payroll, and Wyatt’s option year will come when the longtime contributor’s contract has paid out its guarantees. The Packers, who pivoted from their long-held 3-4 scheme to Jeff Hafley‘s preferred 4-3 look last season, also lost nose tackle T.J. Slaton to free agency. Regardless of first-string status, Clark and Wyatt are Green Bay’s most valuable DTs. The team did not address the position until the sixth round this year.

Green Bay chose Wyatt with its own pick in 2022, doing so after drafting Walker with the first-round pick acquired in the Davante Adams trade. They will have until 3pm tomorrow to determine Walker’s 2026 status. The tea leaves point to the Pack declining Walker’s option, with Brian Gutekunst referencing the outside linebackers hiking the price of the off-ball LBs’ options. Still, the veteran GM wants to retain both players on second contracts.

NFC South Notes: Falcons, Clowney, Renfrow

April 30th, 2025 at 12:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL will attempt to put the Shedeur Sanders prank-call storyline in the past, levying fines against the Falcons and new DC Jeff Ulbrich. The veteran coordinator’s son, Jax, made a prank call to Sanders as he fell during the draft. Jax Ulbrich, who pretended to be Saints GM Mickey Loomis when calling the Colorado QB during his draft freefall, apologized to Sanders (after taking the QB’s number off his father’s iPad), but Jeff Ulbrich will lose a chunk of his salary as a result of the act. The league fined Jeff Ulbrich $100K, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who adds the Falcons will be fined $250K for Sanders’ number being leaked. Jeff Ulbrich said (via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall) he and his son take “full responsibility” for the prank. The veteran assistant said he also apologized to Deion Sanders.

Unlike the Falcons’ Kirk Cousins tampering penalty last year, no draft picks will be taken away for the incident involving the Ulbrichs. The Falcons hired Ulbrich to replace Jimmy Lake, whom Raheem Morris fired after one season on the job. This has certainly not been a smooth ride for Falcons DCs. Ulbrich is the team’s fourth in four years (Ulbrich, Lake, Ryan Nielsen, Dean Pees), and the former Jets interim HC’s tenure is not off to a good start thanks to this development. The Falcons have now been fined $575K over the past three years (h/t Yahoo’s Nate Tice), thanks to this coming after the 2024 tampering issue and 2023 Bijan Robinson injury report matter.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

Jadeveon Clowney has become available in trades, and the Panthers had thrown his name around before drafting two edge rushers (Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen on Day 2. Carolina’s pre-draft discussions on Clowney with multiple teams, per ESPN.com’s David Newton. As Ejiro Evero will begin molding the two rookie edge players, Clowney could be on the move yet again. The Panthers would save $9.78MM by trading Clowney, who is on his sixth NFL team.
The Panthers are pulling Hunter Renfrow back into the NFL, after the former 1,000-yard Raiders wide receiver did not play in 2024. Renfrow, 29, took last year off in part because he was battling an autoimmune disorder (ulcerative colitis) that caused fatigue and weight loss, according to Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. The Clemson alum said the weight loss caused him to drop to around 150 pounds. Renfrow viewed himself as ready to make a comeback by January, and he is now back to 187 pounds. The Panthers’ receiving setup will not guarantee Renfrow a roster spot, as he fell out of favor with the Raiders following his 1,038-yard 2021 season. But the South Carolina native will have a shot to make an impact in his native region.
One of Ulbrich’s new pieces to arrive in the draft, fourth-round pick Billy Bowman, enters the league as a safety. But that will not be his primary role in Atlanta. The Falcons will shift Bowman into the slot to start his career, Ulbrich said (via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter). The Falcons took Bowman with the No. 118 overall pick. He will head to Georgia after earning first-team All-Big 12 (2023) and third-team All-SEC (2024) acclaim. The Falcons addressed their safety position in the third round (Xavier Watts) and in free agency, bringing in Jordan Fuller as another option to start alongside Jessie Bates. Justin Simmons remains a free agent.
The Saints added some edge-rushing depth this week, agreeing to bring in veteran Chris Rumph. This came shortly after New Orleans agreed to terms with 11 UDFAs.

Buccaneers Promote Rob McCartney To Assistant GM

April 30th, 2025 at 11:31am CST by Sam Robinson

Nearly two years ago, the Buccaneers promoted John Spytek to assistant general manager. With Spytek parlaying that climb to a GM job (with the Raiders), the Bucs are moving another longtime staffer into that role.

Rob McCartney will rise to an assistant GM spot in Tampa, according to Insidetheleague.com’s Neil Stratton. Mike Greenberg remains an AGM with the team, but McCartney will take over Spytek’s role in the other lieutenant post under Jason Licht.

Like Greenberg, McCartney has been with the Bucs for many years. His tenure predates Licht’s with the organization, as it began back in 2011 (after a two-year internship). The Bucs had previously stationed McCartney in the director of player personnel position, having elevated him to that role in 2022.

Both Spytek and Greenberg were on the GM carousel this offseason; Greenberg interviewed for the Jets’ job before declining a Jaguars meeting. Liam Coen was believed to want to take Greenberg with him to Jacksonville. McCartney and VP of football research Jacqueline Davidson were also mentioned as names to watch for GM candidacies. While Davidson has received buzz about potentially becoming the league’s first modern-era woman GM, McCartney has moved up to a role that could soon allow him to receive consideration for a top front office job.

Greenberg has been the Bucs’ cap czar for a while, while McCartney came up through the scouting ranks. As director of player personnel, McCartney played lead roles in the team’s ongoing effort to re-sign and extend its own talent. The Bucs have come through with several high-profile deals to retain players — from Mike Evans to Baker Mayfield to Tristan Wirfs to Antoine Winfield Jr. to Chris Godwin‘s recent re-up — and that will help earn the veteran exec a promotion.

The Bucs are also making an outside hire, adding Zach Beistline as director of football research. Beistline will come over from the Jags, whose James Gladstone GM hire has led to steady changes — including the departure of Jacksonville AGM Ethan Waugh. Originally reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, the Beistline hire comes after he spent 12 years with the Jags. He most recently served as the AFC South team’s director of game management.

Falcons To Pick Up Drake London’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Sam Robinson

A year after exercising Kyle Pitts‘ fifth-year option, the Falcons will keep their other pass-catching pillar from entering a contract year. The team is picking up Drake London‘s 2026 option, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This will lock London into a $16.82MM guarantee for next year. London is eligible for the third-tier wide receiver option, having been a regular in Atlanta but not a Pro Bowler. The former No. 8 overall pick, however, is now an essential piece to the organization’s aim to developing Michael Penix Jr. into a franchise quarterback.

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decide on options for 2022 first-round picks. Considering the team’s Pitts decision, London never seemed a candidate to see his option declined. Kirk Cousins, with a late-season assist from Penix, helped London post his first 1,000-yard season. He cruised past that benchmark, accumulating 1,271 yards in his third season. This marked a boost from London’s first two years, when he was tethered to Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder as his primary QBs.

Part of Terry Fontenot‘s annual commitment to restock the Falcons’ skill positions with top-10 picks, London was the second of those selections. After taking Pitts fourth overall, Fontenot chose London eighth out of USC in 2022. The 6-foot-4 target quickly replaced Calvin Ridley as the Falcons’ No. 1 receiver, arriving as the team’s previous top target had incurred a gambling suspension months before the 2022 draft. London, however, was tied to two run-oriented offenses.

That led to the Falcons’ scrutinized two-QB offseason project last year. While Cousins no longer factors into the Falcons’ plans — barring a season in which the high-priced passer actually sits behind Penix — London will be tasked with helping the 2024 No. 8 overall pick take steps forward in his first full starter season. This is not exactly new territory, as London paired with Ridder after the Falcons anointed the 2022 third-round pick as their 2023 starter — after four 2022 starts. Penix showed more promise by comparison in his late-season cameo, pointing London’s arrow up regarding extension value.

London totaled 866 receiving yards as a rookie in a Falcons offense that led the league in rushing attempts; he added 905 in 2023. After scoring six combined touchdowns during his first two seasons, London broke through for nine last year. That season upped London’s extension price, as an exploding receiver market will help his cause there. The league now has eight $30MM-per-year receivers, and with the cap rising by at least $20MM over the past two years, London — who will not turn 24 until July — can make a clear case he deserves to be in that group. Building on last season to accelerate Penix’s development would cement that case.

The Falcons paid Julio Jones before his fifth-year option season, authorizing the since-retired receiver’s first extension just before the 2015 season. While the team bought time by picking up London’s option, his price would stand to rise with another 1,000-yard season. The Falcons can enter extension talks with London this offseason, and it will be interesting to see if anything serious develops. While extending first-round receivers a year early simply did not occur in the option era prior to last year, the Eagles (DeVonta Smith) and Dolphins (Jaylen Waddle) did so. The Falcons would probably be wise to strongly consider making an early strike. No known talks have occurred just yet.

Jaguars To Decline LB Devin Lloyd’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:50am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars will continue the string of teams declining fifth-year options on off-ball linebackers. As the NFL’s option formula still groups all linebackers together, Devin Lloyd will become the latest ILB to see his not exercised.

Lloyd is now in a contract year, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler confirms. He would have been due a fully guaranteed $14.75MM had the Jaguars’ new regime signed off on his 2026 option. Lloyd is extension-eligible, so he could factor into the Jags’ long-term plans. It would also make sense if the team’s James Gladstone-Liam Coen duo wanted to see how he fit into a new defensive scheme.

No team has exercised a fifth-year option for an off-ball LB since the Buccaneers picked up Devin White‘s in 2022. That decision did not turn out well, as the All-Pro’s value cratered soon after. Over the past three offseasons, Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray, Isaiah Simmons, Jordyn Brooks and Jamin Davis had seen their options declined. The Cardinals passed on Zaven Collins‘, despite moving him to the edge, and it should be expected the Packers will decline Quay Walker‘s ($14.75MM) by Thursday’s deadline.

This wrinkle reminds of the guard market, as the price of franchise-tagging a player at that position is complicated due to all O-linemen being grouped together under this formula as well. Guards and ILBs have easier paths to free agency as a result, and Lloyd could end up as a key piece on next year’s market because of the Jags’ Wednesday decision.

The Jags did pick up Travon Walker‘s fifth-year option, but the former No. 1 overall pick serves as an edge player. Lloyd has been a locked-in starter since his rookie year, but Trent Baalke‘s second pick since the Urban Meyer firing moved him to the top of the franchise’s personnel pyramid could use a quality contract year to display his value to both the Jags and other teams. Jacksonville traded up from No. 33 (via Tampa Bay) to acquire Lloyd at No. 27 overall. He has been a consistent producer despite the Jaguars continuing to change defensive coordinators.

Lloyd, 26, has missed just three career games. He has made at least 113 tackles in each of his three seasons, working as a regular under Mike Caldwell and Ryan Nielsen. After making just two tackles for loss during his first two seasons combined, Lloyd — a former 27 overall pick out of Utah — made seven last season. The Jags hired Anthony Campanile to run their defense this year. Lloyd will undoubtedly be a key piece. Pro Football Focus has graded Lloyd as a top-15 linebacker in each of the past two seasons.

That status becomes more impressive when factoring in the organizational turnover in that span. Doug Pederson fired Caldwell after the 2023 season, and Nielsen again became a one-and-done DC (as he had in Atlanta) thanks to a head coach being fired a year later. Lloyd will attempt to prove himself valuable in Campanile’s defense this season.

Eagles To Exercise DT Jordan Davis’ Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:10am CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles plan to keep their all-Georgia defensive tackle duo together beyond 2025. They will pick up Jordan Davis‘ fifth-year option, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, ensuring he and Jalen Carter will remain under contract through 2026.

Davis has proven to be an important piece for the Eagles, though his playing time will make this an affordable option to exercise. Because the nose tackle has yet to play 50% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in a season, he will be eligible for the lowest of the four option prices at the position. Philadelphia will have Davis on a fully guaranteed $12.94MM in 2026.

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decline on fifth-year options tied to the 2022 first-round class. Davis represented the first member of the Georgia products to arrive on Philly’s defense, coming in as the No. 13 overall pick in 2022. Nakobe Dean followed in that year’s third round, while Carter, Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo were 2023 draftees.

With Milton Williams departing for a monster Patriots payday in free agency, the Eagles will lean into their Georgia connection inside. Davis, however, has been a regular starter in Philly. He has started every Eagles game over the past two seasons, not missing any time since a short IR stint during his rookie season.

Although Carter has revealed himself to be a more impactful player, Davis’ presence helps his ex-Bulldogs teammate disrupt offensive game plans. Davis has only 3.5 career sacks and six tackles for loss. But his imposing presence frees up his D-line mates, most recently evidenced by Philly smothering Kansas City’s offense in Super Bowl LIX.

The Eagles only used Davis on 388 defensive snaps last season, even as Fletcher Cox announced his retirement, but his starter status has not been in question. Davis finished eighth in run stop win rate during the 2023 season, and he helped Vic Fangio‘s defense rebound as the team returned to a Super Bowl the following year. Davis, 25, was a central figure in an Eagles unit that led the NFL in yards allowed and ranked second in scoring.

A stunning Davis 40-yard dash performance at the 2022 Combine crystalized his value as a mid-first-round pick. Despite weighing 340 pounds, he blazed to a 4.78-second 40. The Eagles traded up two spots (via the Texans) to select Davis at 13. Howie Roseman‘s team had come into the draft with three first-round picks that year, acquiring one via the Dolphins’ DeVonta Smith trade-up maneuver and the other from the Colts for Carson Wentz. The pick obtained in the Smith swap went to Davis, and Roseman sent the No. 18 pick to the Titans for A.J. Brown. These moves came shortly after the Eagles sent the Saints the No. 19 pick; the first-rounder acquired in that deal went to Carter a year later.

Davis will not command an extension in the Carter range, but he has made an early case to be locked up long term. The Eagles have been proactive with deals along their lines, so it would not surprise to see the team enter extension talks with Davis’ camp this offseason. Carter does not become extension-eligible until next year.

49ers, George Kittle Agree To Extension

April 29th, 2025 at 11:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

Extension talks with George Kittle have produced an agreement. The All-Pro tight end announced during an appearance on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he has signed a new deal.

This will be a four-year pact, per Kittle. The deal is worth $76.4MM in total and includes $40MM in guarantees. The latter figure consists of $35MM locked in at signing along with $5MM in guarantees covering the 2027 campaign. 2025 had represented the final year of Kittle’s contract, but he is now on the books through 2029; his scheduled cap charge for the coming year ($22.03MM) will no doubt be lowered as a result of the agreement.

This deal carries an annual average value of $19.1MM, surpassing the AAV of Trey McBride‘s recent Cardinals extension. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cautions, though, that the final year of the contract contains an inflated figure to push that mark from $18MM to its record-breaking point. Kittle had been attached to a $15MM-per-year pact, but his future has now been secured by means of another lucrative 49ers commitment on the offensive side of the ball.

Kittle surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career in 2024, and his eight touchdowns marked the second-highest total in a single season for him to date. That production helped his leverage in contract talks, and prior to the draft it was reported team and player were far apart on terms. Originally, the 31-year-old was absent from the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Kittle did attend on Friday, though, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes negotiations gained steam from that point on.

A report stating the former fifth-rounder was aiming to become the league’s highest-paid tight end – with that being the reason for his early absence – drew a public rebuttal from the six-time Pro Bowler himself. Nonetheless, Kittle is now atop the position’s financial pecking order as he looks to remain a mainstay in the pass and run games for San Francisco. The team’s list of remaining extensions now includes quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner, both of whom are in attendance for the start of offseason work.

The 49ers made 11 selections in this year’s draft, tied for the most in the NFL. None of those picks were used on a tight end, an indication the team would continue relying on Kittle (along with free agent addition Luke Farrell) for 2025 and beyond. San Francisco’s season did not go according to plan last year as the team dealt with a slew of injuries at key positions. Kittle continued a run of making at least 14 appearances which dates back to 2021, though, and the 49ers will be counting on that stretch of availability extending deep into his career.

As San Francisco prepares for a period with Purdy attached to one of the league’s most lucrative deals, the team also has big-ticket commitments in place with Kittle, wideout Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey. If that nucleus is to guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl, Kittle will no doubt continue operating as a central figure in the team’s success.

CB Jaire Alexander Could Play For Packers In 2025

April 29th, 2025 at 11:05pm CST by Ely Allen

For the last year and a half, the Packers and cornerback Jaire Alexander have been in contract discussions as injuries limit what Green Bay is getting out of an expensive contract. The two parties were hoping to resolve things before last week’s draft, but after failing to do so, will continue to work towards a reconciliation, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Back in 2022, the Packers signed Alexander to a four-year, $84MM extension, and the then-25-year-old delivered a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro season as a result. In the past two years since then, though, Alexander has only made seven starts in each season due to an assortment of injuries. Because of the missed time, the team explored trading their veteran cornerback. But, since then, the no resolution has presented itself.

Demovsky cites a source who says that the options for Alexander include a release, a trade, or a return to Green Bay — essentially, “all options are still on the table.” The reason a trade or release are options worth considering is because Alexander’s extension has a potential out built into it between the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons.

Instead of paying out salary cap hits of $24.64MM and $27.02MM over the next two seasons, Green Bay could cut or trade Alexander with only $17.04MM of dead cap. If they do either with a post-June 1 designation, the dead cap figure is reduced to just $7.52MM.

Based on the roster makeup, there has to be some preference for him to return to health and to the lineup. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Alexander was the only one of Green Bay’s corners to rank in the top 50 of the position, coming in at 19th. Behind him, the highest ranked cornerbacks on the roster are Carrington Valentine (54), Keisean Nixon (63), and Nate Hobbs (73).

The team waited until the seventh round to add any help in the draft, taking Tulane’s Micah Robinson late on Day 3, so one would assume that there’s hope in Green Bay that an amended deal can be reached. If not, it’s certainly possible that Alexander could end up playing elsewhere in 2025.

Falcons Had Planned To Draft James Pearce Jr. At No. 15

April 29th, 2025 at 11:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Jets carried the curse of John Abraham at edge rusher for over a decade, the Falcons also struggled mightily to replace the since-retired pass rusher. Despite first-round picks, notable free agency additions and a 2024 trade, Atlanta has come up empty in its search for consistent EDGE presences.

Abraham, whom Atlanta acquired in a three-team trade in 2006, signed with the Cardinals in 2013. The Falcons have sputtered in their attempts to locate edges since. Free agency additions (Osi Umenyiora, Dwight Freeney, Bruce Irvin, Dante Fowler, Bud Dupree) and a Matt Judon trade either provided stopgaps or ended up misfiring, while first-rounders Vic Beasley (2015) and Takk McKinley (2017) did not become long-term answers. Falcons have produced one double-digit sack season (Beasley’s outlier 2016) since Abraham’s 2013 exit.

This alarming trend heavily influenced Atlanta’s 2025 draft. The team had attempted to trade up for Laiatu Latu after its surprising Michael Penix Jr. pick last year, but no deal emerged. The Falcons did find a taker this year, sending their 2026 first-rounder to the Rams in a package that secured them James Pearce Jr. at No. 26. This came after Atlanta chose Jalon Walker at No. 15. The duo represents the biggest swing the Falcons have taken to stop this pass-rushing drought since Abraham’s Cardinals defection.

Although the Falcons have drawn criticism for trading their 2026 first to move into the late first round, they did so because they placed a high value on Pearce. The Tennessee edge presence would have been Atlanta’s No. 15 pick had Walker not been available, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer.

The Falcons did not expect Walker to be there at 15, leading to the Georgia hybrid linebacker being the choice. Walker had been linked to a few teams in the top 10 — from the Saints to the Panthesr to the Jets to even the Patriots at No. 4. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot said the team would have been “more than comfortable” taking Pearce at 15, per ESPN.com’s Marc Raimondi. Fontenot noted Pearce being off the board would have caused the Falcons to stand down, but they will be without their 2026 first-rounder because of a high grade on Pearce.

Even as Grady Jarrett returned from his ACL tear to team with Judon, the Falcons ranked 31st in pressure rate last season. Pearce, who registered 17.5 sacks over his final two Tennessee seasons and clocked a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, will join Walker and free agency addition Leonard Floyd in a beefed-up Falcons pass rush. Pearce had come up as a Falcons target at 15 during draft week. The team hosted him on a “30” visit as well.

It will be interesting to see how the Falcons use Walker, Pearce and Floyd. Walker’s work as an off-ball linebacker at Georgia creates some possibilities for the team to use all three together, but Floyd is a 49ers cap casualty on a one-year, $10MM deal. Walker and Pearce are in place to be Atlanta’s hopeful long-term answers to one of the NFL’s longest-running problems.

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