FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There is a 40% chance that an Atlanta Falcons player will win The Associated Press' 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The AP revealed its five finalists Thursday, and Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and safety Xavier Watts were among them. The other contenders are New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori.

The winner will be announced Feb. 5 at the annual NFL Honors event in the lead-up to the Super Bowl in San Francisco.

Below is why either Pearce or Watts should win:

JAMES PEARCE JR. (Round 1, Pick 26)

Pearce's selection came as a shock across the NFL, as the Falcons traded away their 2026 first-round pick as well as second-round and seventh-round picks in 2025 to move back into the first round to get him. Atlanta also received a third-round pick (No. 101) in the deal.

The reward was worth the risk.

Pearce grew so much from Week 1 to 18.

Here are some of the 22-year-old's biggest accomplishments from 2025:

— Pearce's 10.5 sacks were the most by a rookie since outside linebacker Micah Parsons had 13 in 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys.

• Parsons won Defensive Rookie of the Year.

— Pearce recorded at least one sack in six straight games from Weeks 9-14, which tied for the second-longest streak by any rookie since 1982, when sacks became an official individual stat. The longest streak belongs to defensive end Jevon Kearse from 1999, who had eight games in a row with at least one sack for the Tennessee Titans.

• Kearse won Defensive Rookie of the Year.

— Pearce became only the 23rd rookie to reach 10.5 sacks since 1982. Eleven of the previous 22 went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Standout moment: The Falcons entered their Week 18 win against the New Orleans Saints needing three sacks to set a new single-season record. The benchmark was 55 sacks from 1997. Falcons defensive linemen Kentavius Street and LaCale London matched the record with one sack apiece in the first and second quarters, respectively. Then, in the third quarter, Pearce broke the record with his sack against Saints quarterback Tyler Shough on a second-and-7 play. On the very next play, third-and-13, Pearce sacked Shough again. He's the reason the record currently stands at 57 sacks.

Honorable mention: Pearce also had a two-sack game in the Falcons' Week 15 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the only rookie in 2025 with multiple multi-sack games. They just so happened to bookend the Falcons' four-game win streak to close the season.

Not just rookies: Pearce led the Falcons in sacks and tied for 13th among all NFL players.

What they're saying: "Goodness gracious, there is so much more meat on the bone. … There is still so much more out there for him. When this game starts to slow down, he really starts to figure out the game and his own skill set and his self-awareness goes to another space, he's got a bright, bright future." — Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on Dec. 17, 2025

XAVIER WATTS (Round 3, Pick 96)

Watts was another selection that required the Falcons to orchestrate a trade. This was a two-for-one deal. The Falcons sent the third-round pick they acquired from the Rams in the trade for Pearce and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles to move up five spots and grab Watts.

Ensuring Watts landed in Atlanta justified the cost.

Watts was a starter from Week 1.

Here are some of the 24-year-old's biggest accomplishments from 2025:

— Watts' five interceptions led all rookies this season and tied for the most in a single season by a rookie in the last three seasons. That total also ties for second most in a single season in the last 10 seasons.

• Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen had six interceptions in 2022 and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
• Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock had five interceptions in 2023 and finished eighth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
• New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore had five interceptions in 2017 and won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
• Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre had five interceptions in 2022 and finished fifth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
• Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland had five interceptions in 2022.

— Watts was one of three rookies to record their first career interception by Week 2. He was the only one, though, who started the game in which the pick occurred.

— Watts was the only rookie to have a multi-interception game this season.

Standout moment: The Falcons held a 22-6 lead against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 with a little less than three minutes remaining in the game. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy attempted to throw a deep pass from Atlanta's 36-yard line on first-and-10 to wide receiver Justin Jefferson right outside the end zone. Instead, Watts picked the ball off near the 3-yard line, stopping the Vikings' momentum after back-to-back long completions of 12 and 22 yards. It was Watt's first career interception, and it solidified the Falcons' victory.

Honorable mention: Watts had two interceptions in the Falcons' Week 17 win against the Los Angeles Rams. He was the only rookie in 2025 with a multi-pick game. Watts was the only player to intercept Matthew Stafford, an All-Pro first-teamer, more than once.

Not just rookies: Watts led the Falcons in interceptions and tied for second most among all players.

What they're saying: "The more he plays, just the better he gets. He's one of those rare guys that the more success he has, the hungrier he gets to get even better (and) improve. … He's a guy that we're just scratching the surface with. And what he will become is something I think this organization, this fan base can be really proud of." — Ulbrich on Dec. 9, 2025

BIG PICTURE

The Falcons having two players up for this accolade further proves how much they prioritized the defense at the 2025 NFL Draft. Of their five draft picks, which tied for the fewest by the franchise, four were defensive. Sure, 80% of the class being on that side of the ball is surface-level proof that Atlanta wanted to at least bolster its depth and talent there. But all of them ultimately ended up playing immediately in the season opener and each earned a starting role at some point. So, the Falcons brought them in with intention – and everyone reaped the benefits.
Below is a look at how the other two defensive picks performed in 2025. Spoiler alert: They did well, too.

Jalon Walker, edge rusher (Round 1, Pick 15)

— Walker was one of four rookies to force multiple fumbles. The other three are Carter, San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black. Walker was the only one who also had at least five sacks.

Walker missed Weeks 7 and 8 due to a groin injury.

Billy Bowman Jr., safety (Round 4, Pick 118)

— Bowman was one of three rookies to record at least a sack, interception and forced fumble. The other two were Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. and Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom. Bowman, however, accomplished this in just six games, as he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 12.

Bowman was placed on season-ending injured reserve in Week 12 due to an Achilles tendon injury.