NFL player comparisons for the Falcons' 2025 draft class

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons left the 2025 NFL draft with five new players, including four on the defensive side of the ball. The team added Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts in the first three rounds of the draft.

The team is hoping these picks can develop into impact players at the NFL level, but only time will tell. Analysts love comparing college prospects to current NFL players and using these comparisons to project what type of careers each may have.

Prior to the draft, CBS Sports released player comparisons for the top 100 prospects, which included three members of Atlanta's 2025 draft class. Check out CBS Sports' NFL player comparisons for Walker, Pearce and Watts below.

Jalon Walker Pro Comparison: Kyle Van Noy​

Walker is the jack-of-all trades up front. Right after making some plays between the tackles as an off-ball linebacker, Walker will pop out to the edge and give an offensive tackle a real challenge on a passing down. He's not quite as big as Van Noy but plays much larger than his size, particularly when rushing from the outside when attempting to pressure the quarterback. -- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Van Noy was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2014. The former BYU standout faced similar questions about whether he was an edge rusher or off-ball linebacker coming into the draft. He eventually found his footing with the New England Patriots and even made a Pro Bowl in 2024 with the Baltimore Ravens.

James Pearce Pro Comparison: Randy Gregory​

Like Randy Gregory, James Pearce Jr. is relatively lanky for the EDGE position as a prospect. But also like Gregory, he plays with significantly more power upon contact and through blocks than his slender-ish frame would suggest. His burst and bend are elite-level for his size, and his hand work is an ascending element to his game. Coming out of Nebraska, Gregory was a high-motor pass-rushing specialist who surprisingly held his own setting the edge and defeating blocks against the run. That's the exact same vibe I get with Pearce. -- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Gregory always had impressive physical tools but he rarely lived up to the hype in the NFL. However, he was a consistent source of pressure throughout his seven seasons in the league.

Xavier Watts Pro Comparison: Julian Blackmon​

Similar to Blackmon, Watts plays with outstanding range, fluidity and ball skills -- showing a knack for being around the football in coverage or when triggering downhill. They both exude versatility, athleticism and a natural feel for coverage that give them the ability to play multiple roles in a secondary, whether it's as a single-high safety, split zone defender or occasionally in the slot.-- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Like Watts, Blackmon was a third-round draft pick. The former Utah standout has outplayed his draft position thus far. Blackmon has 10 career interceptions over his first five NFL seasons. The 26-year-old appears to have a bright future.

Falcons 2025 UDFA tracker: Each signing thus far​

• CB Cobee Bryant - Kansas
• DL Simeon Barrow - Miami
• OL Joshua Gray - Oregon
• WR Nick Nash - San Jose State
• WR Quincy Skinner - Vanderbilt
• LB Nick Kubitz - North Dakota State
• RB Nate Carter - Michigan State
• CB Dontae Manning - Oregon
• TE Joshua Simon - South Carolina
• OL Jordan Williams - Georgia Tech
• S Malik Verdon - Iowa State

Check out our UDFA tracker for an updated look at the team's undrafted free agent signings.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Falcons pro player comparisons

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