Full results: Rams’ 2025 NFL Draft trade finalized with selection of Ty Simpson

Who did the Falcons select with the picks from the Rams’ 2025 NFL Draft trade?

The Falcons took their second pass rusher of the 2025 first round. After selecting Jalon Walker with their initial pick, Atlanta added James Pearce Jr with pick 26. The 101st pick didn’t get used by the Falcons, though. They used it as part of a package to trade up to pick 96 and select Xavier Watts, the safety from Notre Dame. Watts started all 17 games for Atlanta, notching 96 tackles, 11 passes defended, five interceptions, and a fumble recovery. All in all, a great rookie season.

How was James Pearce’s performance for the Falcons?

James Pearce had a good season on the field for the Falcons, notching 10.5 sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and 16 QB hits in his rookie year. He played in all 17 games, starting three. It was off the field after the season where Pearce had some very troubling behavior. He was arrested on very serious charges stemming from an incident where he is alleged to have rammed his vehicle into his ex-girlfriend’s car as she attempted to flee to the police station. He was eventually arrested after attempting to evade arrest. He is not with the team during their offseason program, but has not been disciplined by the team or league at this point.

Who won the 2025 NFL Draft trade between the Falcons and Rams?

Pearce’s off-the-field problems are going to swing this trade toward the Rams’ direction, but I still think the Falcons are ahead right now. If the Falcons had selected a different person, it could be even more lopsided to Atlanta. Xavier Watts was a game-changing safety in 2025 and will continue to make a big impact moving forward. He’s been better than the combined impact of Terrance Ferguson and Konta Mumpfield, and with Ferguson still in a three-man rotation, who knows if he will get the opportunity to put up better numbers in 2026. The performance of Ty Simpson is even more important, but he’ll get a runway.