The Falcons‘ tandem of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. enjoyed strong rookie seasons. Walker will be a key figure for 2026 and beyond, but Pearce’s future is uncertain given the felony charges he faces.
Given the fact Pearce’s Atlanta tenure may end soon, making another early draft investment along the edge could be a key priority for the team. The trade which allowed for Pearce to be selected cost the Falcons their 2026 first-round pick, though, so the top prospects at the position will not be available when they are first on the clock.
Atlanta recently hosted Zion Young on a pre-draft visit, as noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Missouri product is one of several pass rushers likely to be taken sometime between the latter stages of the first round and the middle of the second round. The Falcons’ top pick is No. 48, although general manager Ian Cunningham is among those looking to add picks by trading down. If that does not prove to be the case for the second round, Young could be an option.
After two years at Michigan State, Young transferred to Missouri. During his two years with the Tigers, he continued to develop as a disruptive presence against the run and pass. Young totaled nine sacks and 22 tackles for loss during his time in the SEC, and his combination of length and high-energy play style figures to make him an attractive option for any number of teams. While concerns about his athleticism have been raised, Young has already drawn interest from the Dolphins and Bears.
The Texans also recently met with Young, Rapoport adds. Houston owns pick No. 28 but also a pair of second-round selections. The team may view No. 38 as a realistic spot to make a pass rush addition. That may not be the most pressing positional need given the presence of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but bringing in affordable depth could prove to be key from a financial standpoint. Anderson is a candidate to reset the EDGE market with his second contract, so pairing him with a cost-controlled player as a Hunter successor would be a logical approach.
Like any number of prospects on the fringe of the Day 1 order, Young’s range will be interesting to monitor over the coming days. In any event, teams like the Falcons and Texans could represent a landing spot in this case.