The Atlanta Falcons have one of the most unique situations of any team entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
Atlanta was one of three teams to part ways with its general manager this offseason and one of two teams to fire both its general manager and head coach. To add to the intrigue, the Falcons‘ new regime does not have much to work with. The team has no first-round pick in this year’s draft – they traded their 2026 first to the Los Angeles Rams last year when they moved up to draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
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Entering their first NFL draft together as the top leaders of the Falcons, head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham might have to get creative with Atlanta’s five picks.
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The Falcons have some big questions to answer entering the 2026 season. Who will be their starting quarterback, third-year Michael Penix Jr. or veteran newcomer Tua Tagovailoa? Will Stefanski’s offense find more success with what is, on paper, a more talented group of players? How close are the Falcons to contending for the NFC South title after the Saints and Panthers took leaps forward in 2025 while the Buccaneers regressed?
Atlanta’s approach to the 2026 NFL Draft may not help answer any of those questions immediately, but it will add clarity to this new regime’s vision for the future.
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Here’s a look at the Falcons’ draft picks, team needs and a mock draft of potential fits:
The Falcons have five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and none in the first round. Here’s the complete list:
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Round 2, Pick 48
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Round 3, Pick 79
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Round 4, Pick 122 (from Eagles)
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Round 6, Pick 215 (from Eagles; compensatory pick)
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Round 7, Pick 231
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This section will be updated after Atlanta makes its first selection.
Drake London is the clear No. 1 option in this Falcons’ offense, with tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson also providing upside as secondary pass-catchers. But Atlanta is still missing a true No. 2 receiver to pair with London on the outside – Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus are projected to be the team’s other starters at wideout.
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This draft class is deep enough at the receiver position for Atlanta to find a quality wide receiver on Day 2 – the Falcons’ lack of a first-round pick won’t prohibit them from upgrading that part of their roster. Several SEC receivers have been popular fits for Atlanta at 48 in recent mock drafts: Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Tennessee‘s Chris Brazzell II and Alabama’s Germie Bernard
David Onyemata left for the Jets in free agency after three years of consistent starts on the Falcons’ defensive interior. Brought in to help replace Onyemata is former Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, but he’s only on a one-year deal.
The Falcons ranked near the bottom of the NFL in rushing EPA and success rate allowed, as well as rushing yards allowed in 2025. Atlanta could use some young reinforcements up the middle on defense. The unit needs the help to lock down opposing rushers, especially in a division that features the Bucs’ Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard, and now, Travis Etienne joining Alvin Kamara and the Saints.
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Here’s what the Falcons could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly’s seven-round mock draft:
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Round 2, Pick 48: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
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Round 3, Pick 79: Traded to Jaguars
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Round 3, Pick 88 (from Jaguars): CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
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Round 4, Pick 122 (from Eagles): OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M
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Round 6, Pick 215 (from Eagles): IOL Kobe Baynes, Kansas
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Round 7, Pick 231: TE DJ Rogers, TCU
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Round 7, Pick 233 (from Lions via Jaguars): LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Falcons NFL draft picks 2025: Round-by-round selections
