One member of Falcons' draft class makes The Athletic's All-Rookie Team Safety Xavier Watts was named to The Athletic's early All-Rookie Team. After barely playing their 2024 draft class last season, the Atlanta Falcons have taken a different approach with their rookies in 2025. The team selected two first-round edge rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. as part of a long-overdue effort to upgrade the defensive front seven. While Walker and Pearce have excelled early in the season, the Falcons' two mid-round selections have been surprisingly effective as well. The Athletic released its early All-Rookie Team this week and Watts was named a starting safety.