The Atlanta Falcons may have pulled off one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft when they snagged Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the 48th overall pick. Projected by many scouts as a first-round talent, Terrell brings more than just elite skills to Atlanta—he's also the younger brother of Falcons star cornerback A.J. Terrell. That family connection has fans buzzing about a potential brother duo anchoring the secondary for years to come.

But the question on everyone's mind is: when will A.J. get to line up alongside his little brother? The answer isn't so simple, thanks to veteran cornerback Mike Hughes, who currently holds down the No. 2 spot across from A.J. Terrell.

Hughes, a former first-round pick himself, had a rocky start to his NFL career, bouncing between teams before landing in Atlanta in 2023. After starting just four games that season, he stepped into a larger role in 2024 under head coach Raheem Morris and performed well enough to earn a three-year contract extension. But consistency has been elusive, and the arrival of Avieon Terrell has put Hughes squarely in the spotlight.

ESPN's Ben Solak recently named Hughes as the Falcons' veteran on the hot seat following the draft, pointing to a noticeable dip in performance last season. "Hughes underwhelmed in the first year of his extension," Solak wrote. "His yards per coverage snap allowed jumped from 1.0 to 1.5, and poor tackling in run support stood out on opponents' biggest plays." Injuries to his neck and ankle may have played a role, but Solak noted that a bounce-back season isn't guaranteed.

Enter Avieon Terrell, who isn't a direct replacement for Hughes but brings a different skill set. At a smaller build, Terrell may be better suited for the slot, which could create an interesting competition. Meanwhile, 2025 fourth-round pick Billy Bowman Jr. showed promise in the slot before suffering a devastating torn Achilles during a walk-through last November. If Bowman isn't ready to return, the door could open even wider for the rookie Terrell to make an immediate impact.

For Falcons fans, the secondary suddenly looks deeper and more competitive than it has in years. Whether Hughes can hold off the rising talent—and his own injury history—will be one of the most compelling storylines to watch as training camp approaches.