The Atlanta Falcons haven't had a player win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year since 1980, but Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. may change that in 2025.

Jalon Walker, the Georgia Bulldogs defensive end, was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in Round 1 as the 15th pick. Across 43 games over three seasons at Georgia (2022–24), he posted 89 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Evan Mobley came away from a crowded field with the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award -- and boosted the value of the max rookie contract extension he signed last summer in the process.

In a season where the clear-cut choice for NBA Defensive Player of the Year didn’t appear on any ballots, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley was recognized Thursday as the league’s top defender following a solid statistical campaign made stronger by the visual of watching him anchor his team’s defense.

Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley was named the NBA's top defensive player for the first time Thursday, taking home the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Mobley beat out fellow finalists Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green to win the award.