Falcons’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick

The Atlanta Falcons stayed close to home and kept things all in the family during the draft. And here are the Falcons’ 2026 NFL Draft grades for every pick.

Patience was the name of the game early, as the Falcons had to wait until pick No. 48 to make a selection. But once they got into the rhythm, the Falcons made some interesting choices.

Round 2, Pick 48 overall: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

With AJ Terrell already in the house, the Falcons figured Avieon had good enough bloodlines to make their secondary better. And if that’s the right move, the Falcons will be tough against the pass in 2026, according to ESPN.

“The Falcons might now have one of the best secondary groups in the NFL by adding the brother of top cornerback AJ Terrell,” Marc Raimondi wrote. “Avieon Terrell is a ballhawk with speed and a nose for turnovers. He had (the) Clemson career-record (of) eight forced fumbles. He’s also capable of playing outside, opposite his brother, or in the slot.

“Factor in safeties Jessie Bates III, a three-time All-Pro, and Xavier Watts, one of the best rookie defenders in the league in 2025, and the Atlanta secondary looks rather formidable.”

There is some caution with Terrell, according to Pro Football Focus. And it’s the reason he remained on the board in the second round.

“Terrell’s lack of length may limit him to zone-heavy schemes,” PFF wrote. “But his elite football IQ and playmaking instincts give him starting potential across multiple systems.”

Grade: A-

Round 3, Pick 79: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

There are some things to really like about Branch. This is one of those picks that could go heavily in the Falcons’ favor. But it will likely take some time. In the Falcons’ offense, it’s hard to see Branch making an immediate huge impact.

Still, he’s seen as an eventual plus starter, according to NFL.com.

“Slot receiver who can turn routine touches into explosive gains,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “Georgia prioritized quick touches at or behind the line of scrimmage to take advantage of Branch’s ability to slip tackles and add yards after catch. I expect to see more choice routes and deep crossers rolled into his workload as a pro.

“His routes are rushed and rounded, though. He will jump unnecessarily to make catches, which subjects him to added punishment from defenders. Branch is strong for his size and very tough. He could be pigeon-holed into a “manufactured touch” role, but he’s capable of more. He should help move the sticks and return punts before eventually settling in as a starting slot.”

The main thing is the way Branch fits among Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. It’s a nice mix.

Grade: B+

Round 4, Pick 134: Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma

The best part about this pick is that the Falcons have a guy who is ready to tackle the NFL challenge, according to PFF.

“Daniels brings extensive experience, as he logged four consecutive seasons with at least 500 defensive snaps, including three at Oklahoma State and one at Oklahoma,” PFF wrote. “He is coming off a career-best 77.5 PFF grade in 2025, with marks above 75.0 in both run defense and coverage. A safety-to-linebacker convert, he offers appealing size at 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds along with range, as shown by a 4.47 40-yard dash.”

The Falcons can use him in the teeth of a defense that will be impacted one way or the other by the absence or presence of edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

Athleticism weighs in Daniels’ favor, according to The Athletic.

“Daniels is a good-looking athlete with the range and movement skills to make plays at different levels of the field,” Brugler wrote. “Though some teams see him as a tweener, others believe he can provide value on subpackages and special teams.”

Grade: A

Round 6, Pick 208: Anterio Thompson, DT, Washington

This was about the place in the draft that Thompson figured to land. So there’s no big value here. And there are some red flags, according to The Athletic.

“Thompson needs to develop better consistency, but his upfield quickness, raw strength, and special teams impact (three blocked punts in college) are intriguing qualities that can be further developed,” Dane Brugler wrote. “Thompson doesn’t have a robust college resume. He had mediocre production at four different programs over the last four years. But his on-field flashes and testing numbers have him squarely on the NFL radar.”

Grade: D

Round 6, Pick 215: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

This works pretty well, as there is a good ceiling for Perkins. Size is an issue, but he produced well last season, according to NFL.com.

“Perkins is decisive against the run and knifes into the backfield when lanes open,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s adequate in block take-ons and finishes tackles near the line with good physicality. He can still run but lacks his previous explosiveness in close-outs and pursuit. His instincts in space are average.”

Grade: B-

Round 7, Pick 231: Ethan Onianwa, OT, Ohio State

Closing things out, the Falcons got a reasonable good flier pick. Well, at least it’s interesting because of his size, according to The Athletic.

“Onianwa is a massive human, with long arms, thickness in his quads, and a tall, broad frame,” Brugler wrote. “He is an average athlete and has mediocre foot quickness to mirror speed in space, but his body control and bend help him get the job done.

“Onianwa’s inability to win a starting job on an average Ohio State offensive line is an obvious red flag. But his size and raw ability are worth bringing to camp and potentially adding to the practice squad.”

Grade: D

The Falcons made pretty good use of a limited number of picks.

Overall grade: B

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