Atlanta came away with four defensive rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft: Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts, and Billy Bowman Jr. Each of these four rookies is expected to have a significant role in the new look defense in the upcoming season. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be looking to have a deep rotation on defense, with many of these rookies getting significant playing time. With the 2025 NFL regular season schedule recently being announced, fans and experts alike can start to see which games could be better situations for players than others. Looking forward, there are several games these four rookies could be in a great scenario to shine the brightest. Of those games, these are the best for each one.
Primed Breakout Games for Falcons Rookies
Jalon Walker: Washington Commanders (Week 4)
Jalon Walker is primarily known as an off-ball linebacker that is explosive while also providing great pass coverage skills. That kind of skill set is exactly what can set him up for success against Washington. The Commanders, despite a surprisingly great season, struggled against pass rush in 2024, giving up 50 sacks on the season. The tackle position is still something that by week four could be a weakness for Washington.
The Commanders play an offensive scheme that will prioritize Jayden Daniels in the run game, while also throwing out of the shotgun formation frequently. Jalon Walker matches up well in man coverage against Brian Robinson and Zach Ertz. Walker will also have the advantage when lining up to rush the quarterback on the edge. In what is expected to be a close game until the end, Daniels will be asked to make a lot of passing attempts. This will give Jalon Walker plenty of opportunities to rush Daniels and play man coverage on Robinson and Ertz.
Of all games played this season, Walker will likely see the most snaps played of any game against the Commanders. Not only that, he is primed to do really well in it.
James Pearce Jr.: Miami Dolphins (Week 8)
In another game that will have a lot of passing attempts, watch out for James Pearce Jr. in week eight against the Dolphins. If Tua Tagovailoa is fully healthy and at his best, this team is towards the top of the league in passing yards and attempts. Pearce will likely be the guy who puts up more sacks than Walker in 2025. Walker is more of an off-ball linebacker who will split his snaps between rushing the passer and covering RBs and TEs in man coverage. On the other hand, Pearce is a pure finesse pass rusher. With a 6’5” frame, Pearce is sneaky quick and has some of the best footwork of anyone in this draft class.
The Dolphins have been working on putting together a solid offensive line for several seasons and are still struggling. Like the Commanders, the team has had a big need at tackle and still has not filled it. In a game where Tua will likely throw 30+ passes, look out for James Pearce. The reason I have this as a breakout game for Pearce and not Walker is because of Pearce’s quickness and finesse in this game. Pearce will likely be lining up against either Patrick Paul or Austin Jackson throughout this game. Both tackles have struggled with reactiveness and quick hands in the NFL. With Pearce being arguably the best finesse rusher in this draft, this can be a perfect matchup for him to create chaos in the backfield. Watch out for Pearce to shine bright in this game in Atlanta.
Xavier Watts: Indianapolis Colts (Week 10)
Xavier Watts is a guy who will step in for the Atlanta Falcons and learn under Jessie Bates. Jeff Ulbrich even said in an interview that he sees a lot of similarities between the two in their skill set. By the time week 10 hits, Watts will have had several months to learn under Bates and get comfortable in Atlanta’s scheme.
Not only will Watts be comfortable by week 10, but he will be put in a favorable matchup against the Colts. The offense under Anthony Richardson is still working out some details in their play. Their passing offense last season ranked 25th in the league. Granted, Richardson was out for half of those games. However, even when he did play, the passing game was not working for Indianapolis. They got some new pieces to work with in the draft, but the offense will still be working out some kinks. Watts’ strength and also his role in Atlanta is to be a ball hawk. He will get plenty of reps in this game and more than enough chances to confuse the offense in zone lurks. Watch out for Watts to make some big plays in week 10.
Billy Bowman Jr.: San Francisco 49ers (Week 7)
Billy Bowman Jr. is on the flip side of Watts. Both players are great at locating the ball in the air, but that is not Bowman’s biggest strength. Bowman is a hybrid safety that will fly around the field, especially the backfield. The 49ers offensive scheme falls perfectly into what Bowman does best against.
Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey lead the charge for San Francisco. A deadly offense in the past that utilizes motion plays frequently. Bowman will be put in a position, similar to Watts, to sit in zone coverages and lurk for these motions. Look for him to get prime opportunities to blow up these motion plays in the backfield. Lots of TFLs and solo tackles could be in play for Bowman in this game. Not only that, but with his athleticism and speed, he could easily jump a motioned-out route or two and potentially take it back for a pick-6. If Bowman is primed to break out in any game this season, it is this one.
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – USA Today Sports
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