- Elite athleticism added to the perimeter: Third-round pick Zachariah Branch brings rare, difference-making speed to the receiving corps. While a technician in progress, his athletic profile offers massive Day 2 value.
- Hybrid defenders bolster the depth chart: The Falcons targeted versatile athletes like 6-foot-5 safety Kendal Daniels and situational pass-rusher Harold Perkins Jr. to provide creative options for the defensive unit.
All 257 picks from the 2026 NFL Draft have been made, reshaping depth charts across the league and setting the foundation for the season ahead. But draft weekend is only the starting point — the real evaluation comes from how each class aligns with the board, positional value and projected impact.
This class features a wide range of outcomes. Using PFF's Big Board as a baseline, along with wins above average (WAA) added and an emphasis on premium positions, we can begin to separate sound process from questionable decisions before a single training camp snap is played.
With that framework, here's a look at how the Atlanta Falcons approached the 2026 NFL Draft — where they found value, where they prioritized need and how much immediate impact this class is positioned to deliver.
Atlanta Falcons: C+
Picks: 6 | WAA added: 0.774 (Rank 25/32)
- Pick 48: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson Tigers
- Pick 79: WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia Bulldogs
- Pick 134: S Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma Sooners
- Pick 208: DI Anterio Thompson, Washington Huskies
- Pick 215: LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU Tigers
- Pick 231: G Ethan Onianwa, Ohio State Buckeyes
Highest-graded pick (2025): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson Tigers (83.5)
2026 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Draft PicksDraft selections compared to Big Board Rank04691137183228274319365CBAvieon TerrellRANK23PICK48WRZachariah BranchRANK75PICK79SKendal DanielsRANK365PICK134DIAnterio ThompsonPICK208LBHarold Perkins Jr.RANK221PICK215GEthan OnianwaRANK262PICK231OVERALL · PICK & BIG BOARD RANKStealBoard rank better than pick #ReachPicked before board rankEvenPick # matches board rankTerrell: Terrell's lack of length may limit him to zone-heavy schemes, but his elite football IQ and playmaking instincts give him starting potential across multiple systems.
Branch: Branch is a likely Day 2 pick due to his rare, difference-making athleticism. However, he relies heavily on speed and must continue to refine the nuance and technique of his route running to avoid being limited to a special-teams role.
Daniels: 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. 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.
Thompson: Thompson posted a 76.0 overall grade in 2025, with a 74.2 run-defense grade and a 70.1 pass-rush mark, showing balanced production across phases. At 6-foot-2, 306 pounds with 33.5-inch arms (77th percentile), he pairs strong size with rare testing numbers, including a 4.73 40-yard dash (97th percentile) and elite short-area splits.
Perkins: Perkins is a unique athlete without a clear positional fit due to size and role limitations. He projects as a situational defender and special teams contributor with designed pass-rush usage.
Onianwa: Onianwa gained most of his experience across three seasons at Rice from 2022 to 2024 before finishing his career as a backup on Ohio State’s offensive line in 2025. His development at Rice showed clear progress, as he improved his PFF grade from 45.0 in 2022 to 70.1 in 2024. He started at both left and right tackle during that span, but his profile projects a move inside to guard at the next level.
Atlanta Falcons: Draft Grades SnapshotGradeC+Total WAA Added0.774(Rank 25/32)Avg. WAA0.13(Rank 20/32)Steals2Reaches3Need %75%Premium Positions2 / 6PickPlayerPosBoard #WAA2025 PFF gradeSteal / reachNeed?Premium?48Avieon TerrellCB230.22883.5Steal25 SpotsYesYes79Zachariah BranchWR750.3182.0Steal4 SpotsNoYes134Kendal DanielsS3650.21977.4Reach231 SpotsYesNo208Anterio ThompsonDI—0.12176.0N/ANoNo215Harold Perkins Jr.LB221-0.08662.4Reach6 SpotsNoNo231Ethan OnianwaG262-0.01858.2Reach31 SpotsYesNo