ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are showing a strong commitment to youth on defense with as many as four rookies, including two edge rushers drafted in the first round, expected to start in Sunday’s regular-season opener against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s an immediate big stage at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Bucs a division rival and the four-time reigning champions in the NFC South, and quarterback Baker Mayfield and veteran receiver Mike Evans should provide a stiff challenge for the rookies.
“Unbelievable test when you talk about Baker, the knowledge he has, the amount of experience he has with different teams and everything he has done has been impressive, particularly within the last couple of years,” Atlanta second-year head coach Raheem Morris said.
The Falcons invested heavily in improving a defense that ranked next to last in the NFL with 31 sacks in 2024. Atlanta doubled down on edge rushers in the first round during April’s draft, selecting Jalon Walker from Georgia at No. 15 and then landing another selection in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams to add Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. at No. 26.
Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said Pearce “was a heck of a pass rusher in college. He could really run.”