The Atlanta Falcons Draft Grade reflects a franchise looking to add speed, versatility, and long-term defensive depth during the 2026 NFL Draft. Atlanta added several explosive athletes and enters training camp with cautious optimism surrounding a roster still searching for consistency.
Round 2 (No. 48) Avieon Terrell – CB, Clemson — Grade: A+
Round 3 (No. 79) Zachariah Branch – WR, Georgia — Grade: A-
Round 4 (No. 134) Kendal Daniels – LB, Oklahoma — Grade: D+
Round 6 (No. 208) Anterio Thompson – DL, Washington — Grade: C
Round 6 (No. 215) Harold Perkins Jr. – LB, LSU — Grade: A
Round 7 (No. 231) Ethan Onianwa – OT, Ohio State — Grade: C
Atlanta Falcons Overall Draft Grade: B+
The Atlanta Falcons did not enter the 2026 NFL Draft until the middle of Round 2, but they still managed to come away with several intriguing playmakers. Atlanta made one of the more emotional selections of the draft by taking Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. The talented defensive back now joins his brother A.J. Terrell in Atlanta’s secondary and could quickly develop into a starting-caliber contributor.
The Falcons continued adding offensive speed in Round 3 by selecting Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch. Branch developed into a more complete receiver during his time at Georgia after initially becoming known for his explosive athleticism at USC. Atlanta’s offense already features several dangerous weapons, and Branch could become an immediate contributor in open space situations. However, the Falcons lost momentum in Round 4 with the Kendal Daniels selection. Daniels remains an intriguing athlete, but several analysts questioned his true positional fit entering the NFL.
NFL Rookie Minicamp Results
The Atlanta Falcons recently wrapped up rookie minicamp under head coach Kevin Stefanski at IBM Performance Field. The camp featured drafted rookies, undrafted free agents, and multiple tryout players competing for roster opportunities before Organized Team Activities begin later this offseason.
Zachariah Branch emerged as one of the biggest standouts from minicamp. Coaches and analysts praised his explosiveness, separation ability, and playmaking skills after the catch. Branch consistently flashed the type of athletic upside that could eventually make him a major weapon in Atlanta’s offense. Meanwhile, Avieon Terrell quickly bounced back from a minor injury suffered early in camp and finished the weekend looking sharp in coverage drills.
Another encouraging development came from linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. Despite being selected in the sixth round, Perkins looked fast and instinctive during seven-on-seven sessions and individual drills. Atlanta may have quietly landed one of the better late-round value picks in the entire draft.
Atlanta Falcons Updated 2026 Win Total Projection
Sportsbooks remain somewhat cautious about the Falcons entering the 2026 season. Atlanta’s projected win total currently sits between 6.5 and 7.5 wins depending on the sportsbook. Oddsmakers continue to lean slightly toward the Under because of Atlanta’s difficult early schedule and uncertainty at quarterback.
The Falcons are expected to open the season with a quarterback competition involving Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. That uncertainty has created concerns about offensive consistency, especially against several playoff-caliber opponents early in the schedule. However, some local analysts still believe Atlanta could push toward a winning record if the running game performs well and the defense improves late in the season.
Overall, the Falcons appear to be a team caught somewhere between rebuilding and competing. Atlanta added speed and upside during the 2026 NFL Draft, but training camp will ultimately determine whether this roster is ready to take a meaningful step forward.
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