Join us as we highlight the Atlanta Falcons' newest additions from the 2026 NFL Draft class.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The 2026 NFL Draft has officially wrapped, and the Falcons added some high-profile players with local connections on Day 2 before continuing to fortify their defense on Day 3.
In his first draft as the team's general manager, Ian Cunningham made a trade and added one pick to the Falcons' total. Atlanta entered the draft with five selections. It left the three-day event with six new players.
"It felt like we got some good players," Cunningham said after the draft ended. "We got some good players that are going to be able to help our football team offensively and defensively. It was a great experience. We've got to give a lot of credit to the guys and the girls upstairs that helped get this thing organized, and it ran smooth."
Below is a full recap of the Falcons' 2026 draft class.
Round 2 — Pick No. 48
With the No. 48 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Avieon is the brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr., a former first-round pick for Atlanta. Like his older sibling, Avieon had a standout career for the Clemson Tigers and was considered a top-flight prospect in the secondary. The Terrell brothers are both from Atlanta and attended Westlake High School, so they are truly home-grown talent for the Falcons.
How he fits with the Falcons: The younger Terrell immediately enters into a position open for competition. A.J. Terrell holds down one starting spot, everyone knows that. But who plays opposite him? That could be up for grabs. Mike Hughes returns on the final year of his deal and has been a consistent option for Atlanta when healthy. However, with nickel Billy Bowman Jr. rehabbing a ruptured Achilles from last year, the Falcons could see fit to move Hughes (or Avieon Terrell) into the nickel spot should they so need to. Both Terrell and Hughes have that position flexibility. Regardless of where he ends up, though, the younger Terrell has the opportunity to do what few before him (or any at all) have, which is partner up at the same position opposite his brother playing for the NFL team they grew up supporting. — Tori McElhaney
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Round 3 — Pick No. 79
With the No. 79 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected University of Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
Branch had a standout 2025 season for the Georgia Bulldogs, making a name for himself just down the road from the Falcons' team facility. As a junior, Branch showed outstanding run-after-catch ability while scoring six touchdowns. He is considered a true playmaker at the receiver position and should contend for a starting kick return role as a rookie.
How he fits with the Falcons: Branch's short-area quickness is something to marvel at. His in-game speed has made people miss often, to the tune of 78% of his yards coming after the catch. As the experts say, he's a true slot receiver with over 75% of his career snaps coming from the slot. But he's the type of player who complements a receiver room that doesn't necessarily have his particular skill set. — Tori McElhaney
Read about Branch
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- Zachariah Branch arrives at the Falcons' facility
- Watch the selection of Zachariah Branch
- Hear the phone call Branch received from the Falcons
- The plays that made Branch a star in college
- Branch shares his excitement to join the Falcons
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Branch speaks with local media
- Falcons scouts explain what they saw in Branch
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Round 4 — Pick No. 134
With the 134th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected University of Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels.
The Falcons traded back in the fourth round to make their selection, sending the 122nd pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for pick 134 in the fourth round and pick 208 in the sixth round. It was the first trade of the draft for Atlanta and brings the team's total number of draft picks to six.
Daniels spent four seasons at Oklahoma State from 2021-24 before transferring to Oklahoma for the 2025 season. In his five collegiate seasons, Daniels recorded 293 tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, 16 pass defenses, 7.5 sacks, and five interceptions.
How he fits with the Falcons: He spent his first three seasons as a safety before moving into a hybrid linebacker-safety-rusher role with the Sooners in 2025, per Dane Brugler's scouting report for The Beast. Daniels knows how to be flexible both positionally and schematically when needed. He has played for four different defensive coordinators throughout his college years.
He joins a room that has a spot open with Kaden Elliss leaving in free agency. Divine Deablo remains as one of the starting linebackers, but the spot next to him is open for grabs. Troy Andersen returns on a one-year deal following a rookie contract cut short because of injuries. Ulbrich has stated this offseason that the Falcons could utilize Jalon Walker's off-ball linebacker skill set a bit this year, but in terms of true starters, Daniels should have a chance to compete. — Tori McElhaney
Round 6 — Pick No. 208
With the 208th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected University of Washington defensive tackle Anterio Thompson.
Thompson possesses elite length for a defensive tackle with a wingspan north of 80 inches. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.73 seconds at his pro day, which included a 10-yard split of 1.74 seconds. Both of those numbers are among the best marks by a prospect in this class, and Thompson's 40 time would have led all combine participants at his position. In a one-gap defense like the Falcons deploy, Thompson's quick burst will be put to good use.
How he fits with the Falcons: It felt like only a matter of time before the Falcons went after a defensive tackle. They did with this Thomson pick. He may be undersized within the position, but what he may lack in size, he makes up for in athleticism. He has the burst and short-area quickness Jeff Ulbrich likes in an attack-style front.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the Falcons look for players with dominant traits. One could argue Thompson's dominant trait comes on special teams. Those three blocked punts don't just happen by happy accident. He'll need to grow into his own within this defense, but he's a solid piece of depth with a chip on his shoulder. — Tori McElhaney
Round 6 — Pick No. 215
With the 215th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.
Perkins is a very good athlete who was productive for LSU with 17 sacks in four seasons. He also recorded 220 tackles, 35.5 tackles for a loss, 10 pass defenses and five interceptions for the Tigers during his college career despite missing most of the 2024 season due to an injury. Perkins was used in a variety of ways at LSU, but he found a way to make plays wherever he lined up. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich can get creative with Perkins.
How he fits with the Falcons: Overall, this is a player with tremendous upside who flew under the radar. Interestingly enough, Perkins was ranked one spot ahead of Kendal Daniels (who the Falcons took with their fourth-round pick) in The Beast draft guide. Perkins will have a chance to compete with the other linebackers in his incoming class.
Perkins also has the hybrid look and experience defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich covets. He played a hybrid Star linebacker position in LSU's 4-2-5 base. Plus he has the speed, running a 4.45 40-time. That ranked in the 96th percentile for his position. — Tori McElhaney
Round 7 — Pick No. 231
With the 231st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Ohio State offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa.
Onianwa is the second offensive player taken by Atlanta in this year's draft, and he brings a lot of size for line coach Bill Callahan to work with. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 333 pounds, Onianwa started 34 games at offensive tackle during his four seasons at Rice University before transferring to Ohio State for his final season.
How he fits with the Falcons: His size jumps off his chart. He's in the 90th percentile of weight and wingspan for a player at his position. And though he didn't earn a starting spot at tackle for the Buckeyes this year, he still comes to the NFL with a lot of college experience under his belt. Enough to warrant a seventh-round pick and a chance to make an NFL roster, especially one that could use some big bodies in offensive line depth. — Tori McElhaney
Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL Draft Coverage
- Tori McElhaney's Mock Drafts: Top 50 | Top 100 | Blind Mock Draft
- Will McFadden 7-Round Mock | Tori McElhaney 7-Round Mock
- Mock Draft Tracker: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0
- Prospect Previews: Linebackers | Offensive Tackles | Defensive Tackles | Wide Receivers | Cornerbacks
- Where the Falcons pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
- Ian Cunningham explains his approach to the draft
- Michael Turner to announce Falcons draft pick
- Cunningham shares thoughts on strength of 2026 draft
- The meeting that set the tone for Falcons' offseason
- Draft prospects who impressed at the NFL Combine
- Falcons could use first round as a 'dry run'
- Best defensive prospects available on Day 2
- Best offensive prospects available on Day 2
