FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are part of a rather rare club.

This century, only 10 other teams drafted two members for their defensive front in the same first round. The Atlanta Falcons became the 11th team to do so when they selected Walker at No. 15 and Pearce at No. 26 earlier this year. They joined the likes of Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith Jr. with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, Chandler Jones and Don't'a Hightower with the New England Patriots in 2012, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews with the Green Bay Packers in 2009 and Shaun Ellis and John Abraham with the New York Jets in 2000.

"They've developed a relationship, which is not always given," Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. "Especially guys that play the same position, both first-round

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