"Baller," was how quarterback Michael Penix described 6-foot-5, first-year edge rusher James Pearce Jr. The 26th pick in the 2025 Draft out of Tennessee, Pearce first turned some heads on Sunday with his intensity. RELATED: Bijan Robinson is preparing for another busy season as Falcons' do-it-all running back

The Falcons overhauled their defense in the offseason. They're hoping players with "a natural edge" lead to a change on the field, too.

Upgrading the pass rush was a primary goal for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. After all, they haven't had a player reach 10 sacks in a single season since 2016, marking the longest active drought in the NFL.