The Atlanta Falcons’ new regime of president of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham, and coach Kevin Stefanski just completed their first NFL draft together. How’d they do? Atlanta didn’t have a first-round pick after trading it to the Los Angeles Rams last year to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. The Falcons had six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and here are grades for each of those selections.
Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL Draft Grades
Round 2, No. 48: Clemson CB Avieon Terrell
The Falcons began their draft by selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell in the second round. He’ll join his brother A.J. in Atlanta, whom the team drafted back in 2020.
Terrell recorded 48 tackles and three sacks with Clemson last season. As a result, he was named First-Team All-ACC.
Terrell, who led the Tigers in passes defended as both a sophomore and junior, is able to play outside or inside, and will bring physicality to the Falcons’ secondary.
Grade: A
Avieon Terrell NFL Draft Profile
Round 3, No. 79: Georgia WR Zachariah Branch
After going defense with its first pick, Atlanta went the offensive route in Round 3, taking Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
Branch doesn’t have the perfect size (5’8” and 177 lbs). But he did run a 4.35 40 time and bench 225 pounds 20 times at the combine.
The Falcons needed a talented wide receiver who can take pressure off WR1 Drake London. And that’s exactly what they got in Branch. He caught 81 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns last season with Georgia.
Branch will serve as an offensive weapon for whoever the Falcons’ quarterback is next season: Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.
Grade: A-
Zachariah Branch NFL Draft Profile
Round 4, No. 134: Oklahoma LB Kendal Daniels
Atlanta traded back, sending a fourth-round pick (122 overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders for a fourth rounder (No. 134) and a sixth-round pick (No. 208).
The Falcons then selected linebacker Kendal Daniels in the fourth round. With Kaden Elliss leaving in free agency, Daniels will have a chance to compete for a starting spot and play alongside Divine Deablo.
Grade: C-
Round 6, No. 208: Washington DT Anterio Thompson
Anterio Thompson was the third defensive player selected by the the Falcons in the 2026 draft.
The defensive tackle out of Washington possesses a wingspan over 80 inches and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.73 seconds at his pro day.
Grade: C
Round 6, No. 215: LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.
Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was one of seven LSU Tigers that was selected in this year’s draft. During his four year-career at LSU, Harold Perkins recorded 220 220 tackles (35.5 for loss, 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and five interceptions.
The New Orleans native is extremely athletic as ran he a a 4.38 40 yard dash at his LSU Pro Day.
Grade: B
Harold Perkins NFL Draft Profile
Round 7, No. 231: Ohio State OL, Ethan Onianwa
Ethan Onianwa was Atlanta’s sixth and final selection in the draft. The 6-foot-6, 333 pounder is considered a developmental project.
In Atlanta, he could compete with guys like Kyle Hinton and Andrew Stueber for a backup spot behind starting guards Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstrom.
Grade: C
