Falcons’ Early 2025 Draft Choices Have Transformed Jeff Ulbrich’s Defense
The Atlanta Falcons’ 2025 draft class has been a revelation, transforming their defense into one of the NFL's most formidable units. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's strategic vision has come to life with rookies like Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts, and Billy Bowman Jr. making immediate impacts. But a recent "way-too-early" draft re-do has sparked discussions about what could have been if the Falcons had made different draft decisions.
In this alternate draft scenario, the Falcons pass on selecting Walker and Pearce, opting instead for linebacker Jihaad Campbell and cornerback Michael Carter II. This change would have significantly altered Ulbrich’s defensive plans. Walker and Pearce have been instrumental in revitalizing the Falcons’ pass rush, with Walker’s versatility and Pearce’s edge presence complementing each other seamlessly. Their absence would have created a major gap in the defensive front.
"When I look at the success we've had this year, it’s clear that Jalon and James have been pivotal to everything we've been able to do," Ulbrich said, reflecting on the defensive turnaround.
Ulbrich’s defensive scheme thrives on dynamic pass rushers who can create pressure and disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Without Walker and Pearce, the Falcons would have lacked the necessary weapons to execute this strategy effectively. The duo’s contributions have been critical to the team’s success, and their absence would have left Ulbrich scrambling for alternative ways to compensate.
While Campbell and Carter II are certainly talented players, Ulbrich believes their selection would have shifted the focus of his defensive strategy. "It’s not just about bringing in talent; it’s about aligning that talent with our system. We needed pass rushers who can set the tone for us. Jalon and James brought that intensity,"
As the season progresses, the Falcons’ defensive prowess continues to highlight the critical nature of their original draft choices. The team’s performance is a testament to the alignment between player skill sets and Ulbrich’s coaching philosophy. The draft decisions made in 2025 will have lasting consequences on the Falcons’ future success.
Bears Get More Bad News on Kyler Gordon Before Ravens Game
The situation with cornerback Kyler Gordon has gone from bad to worse for the Chicago Bears ahead of Week 8’s road matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Gordon popped up on the injury report Thursday after injuring both his groin and calf in practice and spending the day’s session as a limited participant. The Bears then held him out entirely from Friday’s walkthrough before ruling him out for Week 8’s game.
Things grew worse Saturday when the Bears officially placed Gordon on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss at least the next four games for Chicago’s defense.
The Bears will now play at least their next four games — including Sunday’s road game against the Ravens — without two of their top cornerbacks. Pro Bowl starter Jaylon Johnson underwent core-muscle surgery in September and is out indefinitely on IR.
The Bears also won’t have their other perimeter starter, Tyrique Stevenson, available against the Ravens. Stevenson injured his shoulder early in Week 7’s win over the New Orleans Saints and sat out every practice this week before the team ruled him out.
The Bears (4-2) will kick off against the Ravens (1-5) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Losing Kyler Gordon Could Cripple Bears’ CB Room
With Gordon now out for a minimum of four games, the Bears are severely depleted at the cornerback position because of injuries and could remain that way for some time, depending on how much time Stevenson winds up missing with his shoulder injury.
The Bears will count Nahshon Wright, Nick McCloud and Josh Blackwell as their top three cornerbacks when they face the Ravens on Sunday. They will also have Jaylon Jones and practice-squad elevation Dallis Flowers available as backups, though the lack of high-level playing experience across the board raises some alarm bells for them.
On the plus side, the Bears won’t have to deal with two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson after the Ravens announced Saturday that he will miss his third straight game with his hamstring injury. The Ravens will start backup Tyler Huntley (11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 26 career games) in his place — a better matchup for Chicago.
Even still, the sudden depletion of depth could force the Bears to consider their options for improving their cornerback room — such as signing a vet — in the coming weeks.
Bears Also Shut Down Braxton Jones With Knee Injury
Gordon is not the only Bear who landed on injured reserve before Week 8’s game.
The Bears also placed offensive tackle Braxton Jones on injured reserve Saturday with a knee injury. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s first practice before the team downgraded him to a non-participant for the final two sessions to close out the week.
Jones lost his job as the Bears’ starting left tackle when the team benched him for Theo Benedet midway through Week 4’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, but he still provided the Bears with valuable depth and experience at the position before his new injury.
The injury is also likely to diminish — if not completely wipe out — any trade interest Jones may have garnered before the NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET on November 4.
In a corresponding roster move, the Bears signed defensive tackle Jonathan Ford from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after elevating him in each of their past three games. Ford has played 36 defensive snaps this season, but he is less likely to see any playing time now that veteran Grady Jarrett (knee) has been cleared to play again.
