The two Falcons defenders were selected by the Professional Football Writers of America after standout rookie seasons
Will McFadden
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The Professional Writers Association of America voted two Falcons defenders onto its 2025 All-Rookie team,which was announced Tuesday afternoon.
Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and safety Xavier Watts each earned a spot on the All-Rookie roster after record-setting first seasons in Atlanta. Watts was also a member of the PFWA's All-NFC squad,which was released on Monday.
The Falcons traded up to select Pearce with theNo. 26 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he rewarded that move with the second-best rookie season by a pass rusher in franchise history. Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks, which fell just shy of the 11.5 that Claude Humphrey accrued as a first-year player in 1968.
Pearce's 10.5 sacks were the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons' 13 in 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys. He had six straight games with at least one sack, which tied for the second-longest streak by any NFL rookie since sacks were officially recorded in 1982. Pearce had two games in which he took down the quarterback twice, making him the only rookie with more than one multi-sack game this season. He finished the year with two sacks in the Falcons' season finale win against the Saints; the first of which brokethe Falcons' single-season sack record; the second earned him double-digit sacks.
"I mean, we're seeing something borderline historic, especially for a rookie," Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said of Pearce in Week 16. "And goodness gracious, there is so much more meat on the bone. He is finding his way and he's growing. He's getting better every week, process included, which I've mentioned in the past. But 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."
In their trade with the Los Angeles Rams to select Pearce, the Falcons also acquired a third-round pick (No. 101). They used that third-round pick as part of a package to move up yet again in the draft, this time just a few spotsto take Watts at No. 96. Their conviction during draft weekend helped transform their defense, Pearce on the front end and Watts on the back end.
Watts intercepted five passes as a rookie, tied for the second most in the NFL. His impact in the secondary was apparent from the very first regular season game, and Wattsended the year on a high notewith a pair of interceptions against Matthew Stafford and the Rams in Week 17. He finished third on the team in both tackles (92) and pass breakups (11) and secured a fumble recovery to give him six total turnovers forced. According to Next Gen Stats, Watts finished second among all qualified safeties in "Hawk Rate," which is the percentage of targets where the nearest defender made a play on the football with either a pass defense or interception. He made a play on 28.2% of the passes thrown into his coverage.
Consistency and a nose for the football are already proving to be hallmarks of Watts' game; with him alongsidean All-Pro player in Jessie Bates, the Falcons are situated nicely at the safety position.
"Both have amazing instinct. Both have ball skill. Both have anticipatory stuff that's really unique," Ulbrich said of Bates and Watts. "It was very early on we said, 'Screw this, we're going to go left and right,' and just let them master their side. Give them both ops to play to the field. Give them both ops to play to the boundary. And they've become, in my opinion, one of the best safety tandems in this league."
Ulbrichis remaining as the team's defensive coordinatorunder new head coach Kevin Stefanski, so there will be continuity for these two standout rookies to build upon.
Up Next
Videos
Falcons hire Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach, Jeff Ulbrich retained as DC | Falcons Audible
Videos
Every Atlanta Falcons sack from 2025 NFL season | Highlights
Videos
Atlanta Falcons 2025 Season Recap & Awards! Best highlight, biggest "What If?" & more! | Friday Five
Videos
Every Atlanta Falcons touchdown from 2025 NFL season | Highlights
Videos
Matt Ryan exclusive interview on his role as President of Football
Videos
Analyzing Matt Ryan's introductory press conference as Atlanta Falcons President of Football
Videos
President of Football Matt Ryan Introductory Press Conference | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Atlanta Falcons Top 10 plays of the 2025 NFL season
Videos
Coming Soon | April 2026
Videos
Atlanta Falcons new President of Football, Matt Ryan shares a final sign-off on CBS 'The NFL Today'
Videos
Matt Ryan discusses new President of Football role on CBS 'The NFL Today'
Videos
CBS Sports breaks down Matt Ryan's new role in roundtable discussion on 'The NFL Today'
Videos
Owner & Chairman Arthur M. Blank end of season press conference | Atlanta Falcons
Videos
Kirk Cousins is micd up taking on the Saints at home
Videos
Liam McCullough & Josh Woods on the end of the Atlanta Falcons 2025 season
Videos
Bijan Robinson, Drake London & others on the Falcons win over the Saints
Videos
Head Coach Raheem Morris speaks on Falcons' Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints
Videos
Kirk Cousins reflects on Atlanta Falcons season & win over New Orleans Saints | Press Conference
Videos
Raheem Morris postgame victory speech after week 18 win over the Saints
Videos
Saints vs. Falcons highlights | Week 18
Videos
Saints at Falcons | NFL+ Highlights
Videos
Atlanta's onside kick recovery seals Week 18 win vs. Saints
Videos
Gonzalez's fourth FG pushes Falcons' lead to 19-10
Videos
Can't-Miss Play: Alford's fourth-quarter pick marks major shift in NFC South division race
Videos
Gonzalez's third FG extends Falcons' lead to 16-10 vs. Saints
Videos
Tyler Allgeier's rushes for 5-yard gain
Videos
Cousins finds London for a 15-yard gain
Videos
Zane Gonzalez splits the uprights from 51 yards
Videos
London leaps over a defender to make a 37-yard reception
Videos
James Pearce Jr. boosts his 2025 sack total to 10.5 via takedown of Tyler Shough
Videos
Dee Alford drops Shough for a 4-yard sack
Videos
Zane Gonzalez's 40-yard FG boosts Falcons' lead to 10-0 vs. Saints
Videos
Bijan Robinson shows his shiftiness on a 12-yard rush
Videos
Kentavius Street sacks Tyler Shough for a 7-yard loss
Videos
Drake London's seventh TD catch of 2025 opens scoring in Saints-Falcons game
Videos
Jammie Robinson celebrates his punt block with some acrobatics
Videos
Cousins' fourth-down pass finds Pitts for first-down yardage
Videos
A.J. Terrell's forced fumble ends Saints' opening drive on its first play
Videos
Jessie Bates III & Marquice Williams on NFC South rivalry matchup against Saints | Press Conference
Videos
Quarterback Kirk Cousins Week 18 Media Availability | Wednesday, December 31st | Press Conference
