The Atlanta Falcons sit at 3-4 through seven games, but their record doesn’t tell the full story. Since quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returned, Atlanta has gone 3-2, including wins over the then-undefeated San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. The Falcons look vastly different from the team that opened the season 0-2, thanks in part to the emergence of their 2026 rookie class.
Former general manager Terry Fontenot left his successor, Ian Cunningham, with limited draft capital after trading Atlanta’s 2026 first-round pick to select James Pearce Jr. at No. 26 overall in 2025. The move left Cunningham with just five selections entering his first offseason, none inside the top 47. Atlanta held picks at Nos. 48, 79, 114, 197 and 231 — hardly an ideal situation for a new general manager.
After acquiring Sydney Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles and making a draft-day trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta turned picks Nos. 114 and 197 into Nos. 134, 208 and 215. The Falcons ultimately finished with selections at Nos. 48, 79, 134, 208, 215 and 231.
Seven weeks into the season, it’s time to assess the early returns and grade the Falcons’ top three picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
2026 Rookie Report Cards – Falcons’ Top Three Picks
No. 48 overall — Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
With the 16th pick of the second round, Atlanta selected Avieon Terrell, pairing him with his older brother, A.J. Terrell Jr., in the Falcons’ secondary. Through 154 coverage snaps, the rookie Terrell has allowed just nine receptions and has yet to miss a tackle across 217 defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks him 26th among NFL cornerbacks with a 67.4 overall grade, including a 66.6 coverage grade (34th).
Atlanta’s secondary has battled injuries throughout the season. A.J. Terrell recently returned from injured reserve, while Billy Bowman Jr., who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2025, is dealing with a hamstring injury. Plus, C.J. Henderson has also missed time with a groin injury.
Despite the instability around him, the younger Terrell has emerged as a reliable contributor, regardless of his role. His ability to handle increased responsibilities so early in his career is an encouraging sign for Atlanta’s secondary.
Terrell vs. Second-Round Cornerbacks
| Player | Draft Pick | PFF Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Avieon Terrell, Clemson | No. 48 | 67.4 |
| Colton Hood, Tennessee | No. 37 | 48.4 |
| D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana | No. 50 | Not Enough Snaps |
| Brandon Cisse, South Carolina | No. 52 | 59.6 |
| Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State | No. 62 | 53.4 |
Grade: B-
No. 79 overall — Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
The Falcons addressed their need at wide receiver by selecting Zachariah Branch in the third round. The top-ranked receiver in the 2023 high school recruiting class, Branch spent two seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia for his junior season.
Branch’s NFL career has gotten off to a slow start, with just 10 receptions for 64 yards, all coming after the catch, and one rush for eight yards. His biggest contributions have come on special teams, where he’s totaled 374 return yards, averaging 26.5 yards per kickoff return and 10.4 yards per punt return. However, ball security has been a concern after he fumbled both a punt and kickoff return in Atlanta’s Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Branch flashed his explosiveness with a 61-yard kickoff return against San Francisco in Week 7, but his offensive impact remains limited. Atlanta has expressed plans to increase his involvement as the season progresses, and the opportunity is certainly there. His usage over the final stretch of 2026 will be worth monitoring.
Branch vs. Wide Receivers Drafted After Him in the Third-Round
| Player | Draft Pick | Production |
|---|---|---|
| Zachariah Branch, Georgia | No. 79 | 7 GP, 10 for 64 yards |
| Ja’Kobi Lane, USC | No. 80 | 3 GP, 8 for 76 yards |
| Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee | No. 83 | – |
| Ted Hurst, Georgia State | No. 84 | 7 GP, 11 for 168 yards |
| Zavion Thomas, LSU | No. 89 | 7 GP, 5 for 37 yards |
| Chris Bell, Louisville | No. 94 | 6 GP, 8 for 117 yards |
Grade: C-
No. 134 overall — Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma
Daniels has been one of Atlanta’s biggest draft steals, emerging as an immediate contributor after being selected in the fourth round. Through seven weeks, he ranks fifth among NFL linebackers with a 77.7 PFF grade. He’s recorded 33 solo tackles, a sack, an interception and 17 defensive stops. His coverage has been particularly impressive, allowing a 77.1 passer rating when targeted, 12th best among linebackers.
However, Daniels’ most impressive showing has come through his resilience. In Week 6, he was carted off on a stretcher after spending roughly 10 minutes on the field before being evaluated at Grady Memorial Hospital. Fortunately, he avoided serious injury and returned to the locker room under his own power later that evening.
Despite the frightening scene, Daniels was a full participant in practice by Wednesday and cleared to play in Week 7. He responded with the best performance of his young career, recording 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and the game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter.
It’s been a remarkable start for the fourth-round pick, whose production and resilience have made him one of the early bright spots of Atlanta’s 2026 rookie class.
Daniels vs. Fourth-Round Linebackers
| Player | Draft Pick | PFF Grade/Snap Count |
|---|---|---|
| Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma | No. 134 | 77.7/300 |
| Jimmy Rolder, Michigan | No. 118 | 37.8/7 |
| Wade Woodaz, Clemson | No. 123 | 41.8/21 |
| Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU | No. 126 | 40.8/74 |
| Bryce Boettcher, Oregon | No. 135 | 50.9/108 |
| Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh | No. 138 | 58.8/3 |
Grade: A
The Last Word
It’s safe to say Ian Cunningham found tremendous value with his first three selections as Atlanta’s general manager. He also struck gold in the sixth round with Harold Perkins Jr., who ranks 13th among NFL linebackers with a 74.3 PFF grade.
With limited draft capital, Cunningham needed to maximize every selection and identify potential difference-makers. Outside of Branch, who has yet to make a significant offensive impact, he has done just that, landing three starters without a pick inside the top 47.
Atlanta’s 2026 draft class has emerged as one of the league’s most promising, while Cunningham’s subsequent roster moves have further strengthened the team. Acquiring Gervon Dexter Sr. has been a home run, and turning Ruke Orhorhoro into Maason Smith stands out as one of the offseason’s more underrated moves.
Between the early returns from the rookie class and Cunningham’s aggressive roster building, the Falcons have assembled an exciting young core with plenty of room to grow.
Main Image: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
