These three words from Jalon Walker will excite Falcons fans for the future

There’s palpable excitement for the Atlanta Falcons defense this season. The team spent its first four draft picks on defensive players, and unlike last year’s draft class — which was one of the least productive in league history — four Falcons rookies are expected to have significant roles come Week 1.

In the secondary, Billy Bowman Jr. and Xavier Watts have been named starters. Bowman will man the nickel, with Watts serving as the safety next to Jessie Bates.

The edge rotation will feature two shiny first-round picks. Both James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker were listed on the second team defense, but good defenses need at least four guys rotating in constantly, if not more. They’ll get a lot of playing time, with Pearce being the storyline of training camp. The people inside of Flowery Branch are expecting big things from the man out of Tennessee.

There were some criticisms about the Falcons’ decision to move up and grab Pearce after drafting Walker already in the first round, but the overall consensus from the national media surrounding Atlanta’s draft class was positive. The early signs are as well, and these words from Jalon Walker should have people giddy for what’s to come.

“We drafted well,” the former standout at the University of Georgia said when asked about the Falcons rookie class.

It’s a refreshing change of pace from years past. Terry Fontenot does not have an outstanding draft history, particularly when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. With previous draft classes, it’s been fairly apparent very early that guys were not ready. This year, Atlanta’s first four draft selections could all be starting by season’s end.

That would be a home run for Fontenot, who desperately needs some of these draft selections to show something. If not, the Falcons will miss the playoffs for a fifth straight season under his watch. Not many general managers survive that kind of drought.

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Photo: John Adams/Icon Sportswire

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