Abdul Carter sits as the overwhelming favorite to win the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year, slotted at +250. His Penn State numbers—24 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks in his final college season—set the table for a quick-impact rookie season in New York, where he is labeled the likely DROY favorite from day one. The Giants’ faith in his pass-rush ceiling and run-defense versatility drives the line, making him a cornerstone piece in early-season fantasy lineups.

Behind Carter, Travis Hunter and Jalon Walker headline the next tier. Hunter, balancing dual roles at college, enters the NFL spotlight with a workload question mark that could influence Defensive Rookie odds if snaps are limited. Walker brings Georgia pedigree and a documented pass-rush impact as a first-round pick for Atlanta, while James Pearce Jr. lurks at 18-1 value for the Falcons, following their back-in-the-first-round swing for a disruptive edge presence. The betting angles tilt toward Pearce Jr. as the most appealing long-shot bet, with Walker not far behind in potential upside.

The article also notes BetMGM’s promo for new users, and frames the race as a mix of immediate impact versus workload reality, with Hunter’s two-way versatility and Pearce Jr.’s pass-rush bursts offering compelling fantasy leverage if the rookies see early playing time.

Atlanta's Friday night clash with Tennessee ended 23-20 in a preseason thriller, with the Falcons resting most starters but still delivering a wave of roster auditions. Undrafted free agent Nate Carter totaled 63 yards on nine carries, including a 43-yard TD that sparked a late spark. Chris Blair added a 52-yard TD grab to knot the game. On defense, Simeon Barrow Jr. dominated with a 89.5 PFF grade, while James Pearce Jr. continued to flash on the edge. Raheem Morris even offered a hopeful update on Jalon Walker, who tweaked his groin but is expected back next week.

The Falcons’ offense found a gear in the third quarter, scoring 17 points to flip the game’s momentum before Tennessee steadied. David Sills turned in a 90.8 PFF score on six snaps, underscoring how depth players can shine in limited action. With UDFA and late-round talent driving the effort, Atlanta’s roster battles took center stage as final cuts approach.

Cam Ward opened Week 2 of the NFL preseason with mixed efficiency, finishing 2-for-7 for 42 yards but showing moments of poise under pressure, including a live-fire throw on the run to Elic Ayomanor and a deep strike to Van Jefferson that just missed. The Titans squeaked out a 23-20 win as they leaned on younger players late, with the off-script moments suggesting upside for Ward when he’s flushed from the pocket and forced to improvise.

Gunnar Helm exploded as a Week 2 standout, snagging four targets for 48 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by contested catches and a strong elite-grade performance that pleased Tennessee’s coaching staff. The Falcons kept starters sheltered, but James Pearce Jr. flashed in the pass rush with three pressures, while Jalon Walker sat out, leaving Pearce to carry the edge-rushing narrative. Joey Slye’s fourth-quarter boot provided the closing margin, sealing the Titans’ win and underscoring how depth pieces can swing late in the preseason.

In a week where data and snap counts were dissected by PFF, the Titans found a few surprise contributors—Helm’s emergence as a reliable target behind the top backups and Ward’s growing toolkit, even amid imperfect accuracy. PFF’s grading and Premium Stats will shape early fantasy interpretations, but the underlying thread is clear: Tennessee is cultivating a deeper bench with real upside as the regular season approaches.

Falcons' first-round picks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker debuted in the preseason against Detroit, logging 18 and 19 snaps respectively. Pearce rushed the passer three times, producing QB hurries, while Walker showed power but limited pressure in his NFL debut. No standout box-score stats yet, but the early signs are that both rookies are adjusting to NFL speed and lining up behind a reworked edge group.

Atlanta used the matchup to test their two top draft picks as they aim to revamp one of the league's weaker pass rushes. The focus is on development and pace of assimilation rather than immediate production; for fantasy, this hints at potential later-season upside if their learning curve accelerates and roles evolve as the season approaches.

Arnold Ebiketie sparked the Falcons with the night’s highest mark, a 94.6 PFF grade, plus a trio of pressures that underscored his burst and hand speed. James Pearce Jr. led rookies in pressures with three and earned a 75.1 PFF grade, while Brandon Dorlus turned in the second-best team grade at 92.2. Chris Blair (91.3) and Josh Woods (91.4) also flashed as reliable playmakers. The Falcons’ rookie class showed depth across positions, and inside linemen like Ebiketie and Dorlus provided a blueprint for growth that fantasy managers should watch closely. Morice Norris suffered an injury for Detroit, trimming Lions’ exposure and leaving questions about their defensive depth. The night’s takeaway: Atlanta’s defense looks ready to push for meaningful snaps, with several rookies promising real upside as the season unfolds.