"To say that the arrest of star rookie James Pearce Jr. has thrown a wrench into the Falcons plans for the edge rusher room would be a massive understatement. We'll see how that ultimately plays out, but the team would be wise to operate as if Pearce was unavailable for the foreseeable future. That means edge rockets back to the top of needs list, particularly with multiple free agents hitting the market."
"I was hoping UCF legend Malachi Lawrence would stay under the radar and be a potential third-round option, but his impressive Combine has ended those hopes. That being said, Lawrence is definitely a worthy second round pick. He's got an ideal frame (6'4, 253) with good length and explosiveness, checking the boxes you nee"
The 2026 NFL Combine concluded with one of the most athletic groups on record, providing critical testing and analytics data for NFL teams. The Falcons face significant changes under new leadership with Matt Ryan, Kevin Stefanski, and Ian Cunningham. Following the workouts in Indianapolis, the draft board has shifted considerably. The Falcons must address their edge rusher room after star rookie James Pearce Jr.'s arrest, making the position a top priority. With multiple free agents departing, the team needs depth beyond Jalon Walker. UCF's Malachi Lawrence emerged as a strong prospect with an ideal frame and explosiveness, becoming a worthy second-round selection despite hopes he would remain available later.
Read at The Falcoholic
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