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The Falcons’ defense has had several bad years of rushing the passer over the past decade. Pierce brings a different perspective to the defense as he is someone who can win matchup with speed and power. Head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich have a plan on how they want to use Pierce so he can play to his strengths

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported after the draft that the Falcons would have been willing to draft Pearce at No. 15 had Walker already been off the board. Pearce racked up 17.5 sacks over his last two college seasons and clocked a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February.