FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Jalon Walker was getting a ride to Charlotte, North Carolina, late Thursday night from his home in Salisbury, N.C. He was scheduled to fly to the Atlanta Falcons ' facility the next morning on the team's private jet. Little did he know, he would have company.

Atlanta received a B grade from Bleacher Report after taking Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker and Tennessee edge-rusher James Pearce Jr. in the first round and following up with Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman Jr. and Wisconsin offensive tackle Jack Nelson.

A quick, lean rusher who often lined up out wide at Tennessee, Pearce impressed with his speed at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.