Full results: The 2025 trade for James Pearce (and Xavier Watts) is complete

What did the Rams do with the picks from their 2025 NFL Draft trade with the Falcons?

In 2025, the Rams used their newly acquired second-round pick to select Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. He played in 14 games catching three touchdown passes as a reserve. The 242nd pick was initially the Rams’, but they had traded it to Atlanta in 2023 in part of the Van Jefferson trade. It came back to L.A. in the 2025 deal, and the Rams selected WR Konata Mumpfield. He had 10 catches and a touchdown in 17 games. ***With the 2026 first-round selection, the Rams picked quarterback Ty Simpson at pick No. 13.***

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 and garnering a Defensive Rookie of the Year nomination. He played in all 17 games, starting three. After the season, Pearce made headlines off-the-field in the worst possible way. 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 police. He is not with the team during their offseason program, and his case has been resolved with a plea deal that involves Pearce completing a diversion program. It’s almost a certainty he will face a suspension. The league’s mandatory minimum suspension for violence against women is six games.

How was Xavier Watts’s performance for the Falcons?

The Falcons sent a 2026 fifth-round pick and the 101st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to Philadelphia in order to select Watts. The future fifth-rounder was a small price to pay to grab such an important player. Watts started all 17 games for Atlanta, compiling 96 tackles, 11 passes defended, five interceptions, and a fumble recovery. All in all, a great rookie season.

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, but I still think the Falcons are ahead so far. If the Falcons had selected a different person, it could be even more lopsided toward 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 the players the Rams selected to this point. Obviously a first-rounder can make a big impact moving forward, but Watts is off to a great start.