The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Pittsburgh, and the Atlanta Falcons are more than a little strapped when it comes to draft capital.
In total, Atlanta owns just 5 picks in the upcoming draft. The Falcons don’t have a first-rounder, and don’t go on the clock until pick No. 48. That means the potential for draft day moves is high.
Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham noted in a pre-draft press conference on Monday that Atlanta would be monitoring teams looking to move up, so a trade-down move as a way to add more assets certainly seems like an option.
The Chicago Bears worked the phones in 2022 to turn 5 picks into 10 in Cunningham’s first year working for the organization. But Cunningham also noted on Monday that the Philadelphia Eagles made 5 selections during his time with the organization. Atlanta has signaled it is ready to stand pat if a suitable trade doesn’t materialize.
“We’re comfortable sitting and waiting and taking 5 players,” Cunningham said. “On Thursday, we’ll be watching and we’ll see what happens. Who knows?”
This new version of the Falcons, led by coach Kevin Stefanski and president of football Matt Ryan, wants to be physical on the line of scrimmage. Run the ball, stop the run. That’s the message heading into the new year. And that might be the guiding principle once the draft officially opens.
With that in mind, I used the draft simulator tool from Pro Football Focus to run a full, 7-round mock with selections for all 5 Atlanta picks. For the purposes of this exercise, no trades were made. We’re rolling with what we’ve already got.
RELATED READING: Check out our mock drafts for the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints.
Atlanta Falcons mock draft
If I were running the Falcons, here’s what I’d do in Pittsburgh.
2026 NFL Draft picks:
- No. 48 (second round): OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
- No. 79 (third round): DT Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
- No. 122 (fourth round): WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Mizzou
- No. 215 (sixth round): CB Avery Smith, Toledo
- No. 231 (seventh round): LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Second Round — Caleb Lomu, Utah
Following the offseason retirement of right tackle Kaleb McGary, it feels like a must that the Falcons spend one of their Day 2 picks on a new offensive lineman. Atlanta had its starting offensive line on the field for 80.2% of all offensive snaps last season, one of the highest marks in the league. Elijah Wilkinson, who stepped in for McGary when he went down with injury in the preseason and played every snap at right tackle, left in free agency. The team signed Jawaan Taylor to a 1-year contract this offseason. Center Ryan Neuzil and left guard Matthew Bergeron are entering the final year of their contracts.
Depth is an issue. There isn’t a longterm solution at right tackle yet. And the franchise has drafted just one offensive lineman in the last 2 draft classes. Lomu was still on the board for me, so I jumped at the opportunity.
It’s not likely he’ll be there when Atlanta picks in reality. The Falcons had top-30 visits from Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M) and Beau Stephens (Iowa). The Falcons were at Arizona State’s pro day, where they would have seen rising tackle Max Iheanachor up close. If he’s a player they love, maybe they swing a deal to move into the first round for him. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week that the organization is taking calls on tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.
If Lomu falls to 48, though, Atlanta brass would be ecstatic. The 6-foot-6 left tackle has the frame to compete for snaps early. He was the Big 12’s third-highest-graded tackle in pass protection last season, allowing just 8 pressures and 2 quarterback hits all year. Only 2 Big 12 tackles played at least 500 snaps and gave up fewer pressures.
Third Round — Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
ESPN’s Jordan Reid reported earlier this month that Atlanta had done “an extensive amount of work” at defensive tackle in preparation for this year’s draft. That would line up with the organization’s commitment to bolstering the trenches, and address a weakness.
Atlanta ranked 25th in the NFL last season in run efficiency defense, allowing 4.6 yards per carry faced. The Falcons gave up a 13.6% explosive run rate to opposing tailbacks, which was toward the bottom of the league as well.
The franchise lost David Onyemata in free agency, leaving a major hole in the middle. The veteran defensive tackle was their best run-stopper. They signed Da’Shawn Hand in free agency and traded Ruke Orhorhoro — the 35th overall pick in 2024 — for Maason Smith.
Stefanski said this week they view Smith as an interior guy for their defensive line. Perhaps a change of scenery can help the former LSU standout live up to his draft selection. (He was the 48th pick in 2024 draft.) If not, Atlanta has only rotation pieces on the interior and not a blue-chip talent to invest in.
Enter Benny, who was excellent in run defense during his time at Michigan. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder had an 84.5 run defense grade in 2025 and an 87.5 grade in 2024. Across his final 3 seasons with the program, he had 50 total stops and 45 quarterback pressures.
Fourth Round — Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
Atlanta needs to use one of its picks on a receiver, either to help take some of the defensive attention away from Drake London or prepare for life after London. The former USC star is playing this upcoming season on his fifth-year option, presumably precluding a costly extension. If Atlanta extends London, it’ll pay him a premium. The franchise is already paying running back Bijan Robinson a premium. Both together might be cumbersome.
But Atlanta doesn’t have much beyond London. Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus were free agent acquisitions at the position, but Dotson has only 37 total receptions over the last 2 seasons and Zaccheaus is a slot man who has yet to be a major contributor at any point across his 7-year pro career.
Coleman was a catch machine for offenses in flux both at Mississippi State in 2024 and then at Mizzou in 2025. He led the Tigers in receptions (66) and receiving yards (732), a strong individual campaign despite a larger passing attack that ranked 12th in the SEC in yards per play and last in passes per game. With the Bulldogs the year prior, he had at least 6 receptions in 8 of his 12 appearances and topped 100 yards 4 times.
Sixth Round — Avery Smith, Toledo
When healthy, AJ Terrell Jr., Mike Hughes, and Billy Bowman Jr. are the projected starters in the secondary. Hughes was limited to 12 games last season. Bowman, the slot corner, saw his rookie season cut short by an Achilles tear in November. Atlanta added 2 defensive backs — Darnay Holmes in free agency, Sydney Brown via trade — to contend for Bowman’s spot while he rehabs the injury. I like the idea of adding another player to a group that isn’t fraught with glaring holes, but also isn’t long on upside. Smith gave up only 3 touchdowns on 143 targets across his final 2 seasons at Toledo. He’s an experienced corner with good burst and ball skills.
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Seventh Round — Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Atlanta responded to losing Kaden Elliss in free agency by signing Christian Harris and Channing Tindall. Elliss left a huge hole at the position that neither newcomer can fill on their own. Harris brings starting experience but neither played much last season. While an earlier pick on a linebacker might make sense for Atlanta, I was able to get Lawson in the seventh round and it felt like good value. Lawson played a ton of snaps for Alabama, which typically bodes well for an NFL future. Although slightly undersized, he’s quick and competitive.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
