FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There are always exceptions.
However, over the past five years, first-round draft picks who fall under the position umbrella of either a linebacker or defensive lineman averaged 3.3 sacks in their rookie season.
That's not to discourage the Atlanta Falcons' hopes for Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. to make an immediate impact on their pass rush. In fact, [the defense’s newly implemented attack-style front](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/nate-ollie-attack-stye-front-pass-rush-2025) may help the young players because it's meant to remove any thinking on any down. Simply go for the quarterback as soon as the ball is snapped.
"I think part of the stuff that we will do schematically will lessen that burden," Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. "Because of that, I think they'll have maybe a little bit more success early on than they would have otherwise."
Ulbrich's confidence comes from the fact he saw this happen firsthand.
Prior to joining the Falcons this offseason, Ulbrich spent the last four years with the New York Jets. In 2022, the Jets drafted Jermaine Johnson II in the first round. He had 2.5 sacks as a rookie and 7.5 as a second-year player. In 2023, similar story: The Jets drafted Will McDonald in the first round. He had three sacks as a rookie and 10.5 as a second-year player.
That's not exactly immediate, which the Falcons would prefer given they [finished 31st in sacks last season](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/jeff-ulbrich-defensive-coordinator-sacks-pass-rush) and rank 32nd since 2019 overall. The uptick in production, though, falls in line with the Year 1 to 2 averages. First-round picks from the 2020-23 drafts averaged 4.7 sacks in their respective second seasons. Of course, the 2024 crop hasn't gotten there yet.
"Make no mistake about it: It is very hard to find pass rushers," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "It's very hard to get out there in your first day and do it. But I've got so much confidence of the people in the building to be able to go out there and help these guys be the best versions of themselves every single time."
The Jets used the attack-style front, so there's promise there. It wasn't just an Ulbrich thing either.
Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie spent the 2021 season with Ulbrich in New York before moving to the Indianapolis Colts from 2022-23 and the Houston Texans in 2024. Ollie saw the same pass-rush success at the later locations.
The Colts drafted Kwity Paye in the first round of the 2021 draft. He had four sacks in his rookie season, six in his second (when Ollie joined the staff) and 8.5 in his third season (still with Ollie).
Similar story with the Texans: In 2023, the Texans drafted Will Anderson. He had seven sacks in his rookie season and 11 in his second (when Ollie joined the staff).
Both Ulbrich and Ollie whole-heartedly believe in the attack-style front, and both of their histories show year-over-year improvement from their young players.
"It's the Jimmys and Joes, not the Xs and Os," Ollie said. "We got the guys, man. I really, really believe that we have the guys in the room that can do it."