James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts, Jalon Walker and Billy Bowman Jr. highlight the Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL draft class. Immediate impact players are hard to come by in the NFL draft, but the Falcons found four starters with their first four selections. Pearce and Watts were nominees for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award for their respective seasons, and Walker ranked second amongst rookies edge rushers with a 71.6 defensive grade and sixth amongst all edge defenders in run defense with a 81.3 grade. Bowman showed flashes early as a nickel defender totaling one interception, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and one-and-a-half sacks in just six games.
This success in the draft did lead to Atlanta being short handed in the 2026 NFL draft. Sending over their 2026 first-round selection to the Los Angeles Rams to select Pearce at No. 26 overall. Barring another trade, the Falcons won’t be on the clock until day two at No. 48 overall.
There are needs that need to be addressed in free agency or via the NFL Draft. A true playmaking wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball, a boundary cornerback that can play opposite of AJ Terrell Jr., an inside linebacker due to impending free agent Kaden Elliss and overall positional depth. Here are five prospects the Falcons could target at No. 48 in the 2026 NFL draft.
2026 NFL Draft Prospects to Target at No. 48
Chris Bell
Louisville, WR, Senior
Bell is the definition of a playmaker in the second-round. Standing at 6-foot-2 inches tall and 220 pounds, Bell has the NFL size that scouts look for. The vast majority of his tape is outside, but the real praise comes from his after the catch ability. Thriving over the middle field, he turned good plays into great plays turning digs and crossers into huge gains. Bell gets to his top speed quickly and possesses the breakaway attribute that isn’t usually associated with receivers of his size.
A 83.3 receiving grade combined with a 87.2 grade against man coverage makes Bell an intriguing option for the Falcons. Bell comes with risk though. He tore his ACL in late Nov. against SMU, heavily affecting his NFL draft stock. If the Falcons see the medical results and progression they’re looking for, Bell would be in serious contention for their selection.
Colton Hood
Tennessee, CB, RS Sophomore
This may be a surprising spot to see Hood in this year’s draft, but recent concerns have dropped his stock a bit. Hood tore his ACL in early 2025, but had a terrific season in coverage for the Volunteers post-recovery. Concerns show up in his run defense. A grade of just 63.8 is nothing to brag about. The top-15 talks have quieted a bit due to his inconsistent senior bowl performance. That being said, if the Falcons selected him at No. 48 it would be tremendous value.
The high-level coverage grades he put on tape can’t be ignored. A 80.3 coverage grade with a 74.6 grade in man coverage are amongst the best in the class. This is possibly the best “team need” selection the Falcons can make in this draft position. Hood plays strictly as an outside corner totaling over 720 snaps out-wide. The Falcons have been trying to figure out the cornerback two spots for years now with the likes of Jeff Okudah, Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips. Hood having that true identity with elite production would be a slam-dunk for the new regime.
Omar Cooper Jr.
Indiana, WR, RS Junior
Cooper was essential to the Hoosiers passing attack this season in route to their first ever National Championship. His versatility is desired at the NFL level, playing outside and in the slot over 300 snaps each in his past two seasons. Finding his role through the slot this season, he totaled 69 receptions, 937 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hoosiers. A 86.0 receiving grade in 2025 puts him in an elite class, along with his 87.4 overall grade.
Cooper plays through contact and has a catch radius that allows him to play bigger than his 6-foot 204 pound frame. Only one year of elite production may scare some NFL teams away, but he’s a prospect that can really improve his stock with an impressive NFL combine.
Keith Abney II
Arizona State, CB, Junior
Abney may have the best footwork at the cornerback position in the entire class. High coverage grades across the board with a 85.3 coverage grade, 81.7 zone coverage grade, a 71.1 man coverage grade and a 77.9 run defense grade. All-around solid grades for Abney have increased his stock heading into draft season. Another great fit for the Falcons as he is primarily an outside cornerback. Abney uses the sideline expertly and showcases awareness along with terrific instincts in zone coverage. Pay attention to his name during the combine drills come late Feb. where we could see his stock take-off even out of the Falcons range.Â
CJ Allen
Georgia, LB, Junior
If Allen lasts to No. 48 it’ll be strictly a positional value drop. Allen is the second linebacker expected to come off the board in the NFL Draft and could even find himself at the end of the first-round. I expect to see him go in the second-round likely before the Falcons selection. That being said, a fall from early second-round to middle of the second-round isn’t rare. That is even more likely at the linebacker position as NFL teams value other positions more often. Allen is an elite run defender with a grade of 88.6.
In a world where the Falcons may lose Kaden Elliss to free agency, Allen would be a great fit next to 2025 standout linebacker Divine Deablo. If Elliss stays, Allen can be a terrific addition to the room alongside the veterans. Allen is very smart for the position and would have no problem calling and leading a defense at the NFL level. A sure tackler who hardly gets faked out, Allen is a player who can help the small Falcons defensive line in run defense.
There are many avenues the Falcons can take with this selection, and seeing where they go with it will be an introduction to what the new Matt Ryan led front office and head coach Kevin Stefanski are looking to do in 2026.
 Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
