NFL Draft 2026 Review: Atlanta Falcons

For the second year in a row, the Atlanta Falcons (8-9) finished just short of winning the NFC South Division due to injuries at quarterback. Another magnificent season of RB Bijan Robinson going for naught because he has never been in the NFL Playoffs.

The Falcons have attempted to solve the QB issue by signing former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to a 1-year prove-it deal. Atlanta also hired Kevin Stefanski to be their new head coach even though he was just fired from the Cleveland Browns due to his wrong decision-making in their quarterback situation last season.

Hopefully, the Falcons could use their new draft picks in this year's NFL Draft in order to finally get over the hump in the NFC South.

Round 2, Pick 16: Avieon Terrell - CB - Clemson. 5'10", 186 lbs (48 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 9 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles).

Terrell will be playing with his brother A.J. Terrell in the defensive backfield for Atlanta. Avieon is able to bring disruption at all levels against opposing offense with pass deflections, sacks, and forced fumbles. He dropped to the second round because he did not have interceptions last season, but he still wreaked havoc on the field. He should see plenty of playing time this season.

Round 3, Pick 15: Zachariah Branch - WR - Georgia. 5'8", 177 lbs (81 receptions, 811 yds, 180 punt return yds, 205 kick return yds).

Branch will see some time at wide receiver in the slot along with helping out the return game as well.

Round 4, Pick 34: Kendal Daniels - LB - Oklahoma. 6'5", 242 lbs (53 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery).

Daniels adds depth at the inside linebacker position. He should also see some time as a nickel linebacker as well because he also played at safety previously in his college career before switching to linebacker in his senior season.

Round 6, Pick 27: Anterio Thompson - DT - Washington. 6'2", 306 lbs (30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections).

Thompson will add depth at the defensive tackle postion for the Falcons.

Round 6, Pick 34: Harold Perkins, Jr. - LB - LSU. 6'1", 223 lbs (56 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery).

Perkins will add depth at outside linebacker for Atlanta. He has the ability to either drop in coverage or to rush the quarterback from the outside. He could see some more time than usual on passing downs with DE James Pearce to eventually receive a suspension that could potentially cause for him to miss this entire NFL season. Besides this season, he could be facing significant jail time after being charged two months ago.

Round 7, Pick 15: Ethan Onianwa - OT - Ohio State. 6'6", 300 lbs.

Onianwa will add depth along the Falcons offensive line at offensive tackle.

Review: Atlanta did not have too many needs, but they did not address their two biggest pressing issues at QB and at defensive end. Having two quarterbacks that have been injury-prone in the past means that QB depth is absolutely necessary. Drafting a QB in the middle rounds would have allowed for the Falcons to develop someone if injuries pile up again.

Not drafting a defensive end was absolutely horrendous because Pearce could end up not ever playing a game again in the National Football League. However, he could end up being in the next remake of 'The Longest Yard.'

The only positives in this draft for the Falcons are that Terrell and Branch should immediately help out throughout the season.

Grade: D+.

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