FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There are always exceptions.
However, over the past five years, first-round draft picks who fell under the position umbrella of either linebacker or defensive lineman averaged 3.3 sacks in his rookie season.
That's not to discourage the Atlanta Falcons' hopes that Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. can make an immediate impact on their pass rush. In fact, the defense’s newly implemented attack-style front may help the young players because it's meant to simplify responsibilities and reduce the pre-snap thinking needed on any down. Simply go for the quarterback as soon as the ball is snapped.
"I think part of the stuff that we will do schematically will lessen that burden," Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. "Because of that, I think they'll have maybe a little bit more success early on than they would have otherwise."
Ulbrich's confidence comes from his history of success developing young players.
Prior to joining the Falcons this offseason, Ulbrich spent the last four years with the New York Jets. In 2022, the Jets drafted Jermaine Johnson II in the first round. He had 2.5 sacks as a rookie and 7.5 as a second-year player. In 2023, similar story: The Jets drafted Will McDonald in the first round. He had three sacks as a rookie and 10.5 as a second-year player.
That's not exactly immediate, which the Falcons would prefer given they finished 31st in sacks last season and rank 32nd since 2019 overall. The uptick in production, though, falls in line with the Year 1 to 2 averages. First-round picks from the 2020-23 drafts averaged 4.7 sacks in their respective second seasons. Of course, the 2024 crop hasn't gotten there yet.
"Make no mistake about it: It is very hard to find pass rushers," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "It's very hard to get out there in your first day and do it. But I've got so much confidence of the people in the building to be able to go out there and help these guys be the best versions of themselves every single time."
The Jets used the attack-style front, so there's promise there. It wasn't just an Ulbrich thing either.
Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie spent the 2021 season with Ulbrich in New York before moving to the Indianapolis Colts from 2022-23 and the Houston Texans in 2024. Ollie saw the same pass-rush success at the later locations.
The Colts drafted Kwity Paye in the first round of the 2021 draft. He had four sacks in his rookie season, six in his second (when Ollie joined the staff) and 8.5 in his third season (still with Ollie).
Similar story with the Texans: In 2023, the Texans drafted Will Anderson. He had seven sacks in his rookie season and 11 in his second (when Ollie joined the staff).
Both Ulbrich and Ollie whole-heartedly believe in the attack-style front, and both of their histories show year-over-year improvement from their young players.
"It's the Jimmys and Joes, not the Xs and Os," Ollie said. "We got the guys, man. I really, really believe that we have the guys in the room that can do it."
This year marked the first time since 2020 the Falcons drafted a defensive player in the first round of the draft. They used the No. 15 pick on Walker, then made a trade with the Los Angeles Rams to select Pearce at No. 26.
Walker totaled 12.5 sacks across three seasons at the University of Georgia. He peaked with 6.5 in 2024.
Pearce, meanwhile, tallied 19.5 sacks in the same time frame at the University of Tennessee. His personal best was 14.5 in 2023.
"The games are different, especially nowadays with college football and the athletic quarterbacks," Ulbrich said. "Half the time, you're just trying to contain this athlete back there; you're not necessarily really developing your ability to rush the passer. Because, in my opinion, rushing the passer is an art and it takes a lot of time. It takes a million times over to master pass rush and become effective at it. So, there's traditionally some growing pains for a young pass rusher."
If that is the case for Walker and Pearce, the Falcons have other pass rushers they can rely on in the meantime. They signed veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd and defensive lineman Morgan Fox in free agency. They also have a slew of returners with proven potential. Namely, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison and Arnold Ebiketie, among others.
The process of getting Walker and Pearce up to speed quickly, though, has already begun. The two completed their rookie minicamp earlier this month. While Organized Team Activities (OTAs) commence this week, with the first practice scheduled for Tuesday.
There's still plenty of time before the 2025 season kicks off Sept. 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's when sacks will really count.
The Falcons have full faith Walker and Pearce can each be an exception to the norm in their first year as pass rushers.
"To be a starter on this defense, you have to earn that on the grass," Ulbrich said. "You don't earn that as a draft pick, and they wouldn't want it any other way. A lot of it will be how quickly they get adjusted to this game, to our scheme, to the defense. But I would anticipate both are going to make an impact earlier than most would probably anticipate."
