"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.

Veteran Leonard Floyd and rookie first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are already making an impact for the Falcons, who had their first practice of training camp in pads on Tuesday.