No First? No Problem: Keys to Falcons Dominating the 2026 Draft Without a First Round Pick
The Dirty Birds all but nailed their 2025 draft picks, getting day-one contributors each day of the draft. However, that regime is gone, and the new management under general manager Ian Cunningham has to work the 2026 draft without a first-round pick. With the NFL draft a few weeks away, the Atlanta Falcons stare down the barrel of what could be a make-or-break class for their playoff aspirations. Cunningham and the scouting team have their work cut out for them on days two and three. The flock of blue-chip talent thins out past the first round, but Cunningham and his staff can still nail the draft despite not having a first-round pick.
Help for The Star Cornerback
Where they stand now, the Falcons do not have a viable second, boundary cornerback. Assuming Atlanta stays at pick 48, the selection has to be a corner that can match the outsides alongside star cornerback AJ Terrell. One quality prospect that could fall into their lap is San Diego State corner, Chris Johnson. Johnson played well during his final year playing for the Aztecs, gaining mid-to-late first-round buzz before senior day. Despite having a lackluster day in Mobile, his athletic showcase in the combine brought him right back into late-round talks. Another senior who broke out during his senior year that could be available for the Falcons on day two is Devin Moore, coming out of the University of Florida. Moore has great size and length, standing at six-foot-three and weighing 198 pounds. He has a history of injuries and tends to get a bit grabby within five yards, but his ability to track deep balls and switch between both man and zone coverage makes him a prospect worth taking on day two. Regardless of which corner is taken, talent needs to be filled in the outside spot to make Terrell and the rest of the secondary’s lives easier.
Add a Viable Receiving Option
With their second-day-two pick, Cunningham and his team must address a similar problem on the other side of the ball. Receiving depth leaves a lot to be desired. Outside of star receiver Drake London, there aren’t any reliable targets that the already questionable quarterback room can throw to. Luckily for the Dirty Birds, the wide receiver class looks rather deep this year, so there will be a lot of hidden gems to find in rounds two or three. It is still imperative that the Falcons use one of their earlier picks on a wide receiver they believe can make an impact on the offense on day one of the regular season. Standout speedster from the University of Georgia, Zachariah Branch, fits what the Falcons need at the receiver position. Though small for his size, standing at five-foot-nine, Branch more than makes up for his lack of size with speed and finesse. He could slot almost anywhere on the line of scrimmage, fits perfectly in the slot, and could even be used as a gadget receiver. Another option that could be available for their day two pick is Louisville prospect Chris Bell. Bell, standing at six-foot-two and weighing 222 pounds, is “built like a fullback who happens to run routes,” one anonymous scout said. Though he lacks a sudden burst and could be problematic in run blocking, Bell is a true X receiver that can make corners watch his dust on release.
Fill the Trenches on Day Three
Games are won and lost in the trenches, and Atlanta has had its fair share of up-and-down play in the trenches throughout the 2025 season. The rest of the draft should be the best player available on either the offensive line or the defensive line. The loss of David Onyemata left the team with a lack of a run-stopping nose tackle. Darrell Jackson from Florida State could fill in that role well. Jackson is on the older side of prospects, but his run-stopping ability is pristine in this draft class. The other side of the trenches could use more depth and possibly a project tackle that could replace franchise cornerstone Jake Matthews during the twilight years of his career. Prospects Brian Parker from Duke or Drew Shelton from Penn State slot in the “project” billing well for the Falcons' future offensive line. Both are somewhat undersized for their position, but make up for it with their pass-protection abilities. It’s a crap shoot in the first three rounds, but if the scouting team can strike gold with their late round picks, the production may produce even more wins.
