The Atlanta Falcons made some noise during the 2026 NFL Draft, and while their Day 2 selections drew plenty of praise, it was a sixth-round gem that has one ESPN analyst buzzing. Among the team's eight picks, linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.—selected in the sixth round—earned a spot on ESPN's Matt Miller's list of the top 100 picks in the entire draft, coming in at No. 87.

For Falcons fans, this is the kind of under-the-radar selection that could pay big dividends. Perkins, who flashed immense potential during his time at LSU, was often shuffled between roles as a pass rusher, linebacker, and even slot defender. That versatility, while impressive, may have kept him from fully settling in. Now, under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Perkins has a chance to focus on one position: off-ball linebacker. Miller compared his ceiling to that of Azeez Al-Shaair—a player who turned late-round promise into a starting role—giving Falcons fans plenty of reason to be optimistic.

The Falcons entered the draft with a clear need at linebacker after veteran Kaden Elliss departed for the New Orleans Saints in free agency. To address that, Atlanta went all-in on versatility, adding not only Perkins but also Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels in the fourth round. Both players are expected to start their careers on special teams, but their athleticism and instincts make them strong candidates to compete for defensive snaps sooner rather than later.

Of course, Perkins wasn't the only Falcon to earn Miller's praise. Cornerback Avieon Terrell, selected in the second round from Clemson, was ranked as the 16th-best pick in the entire draft. Miller called it a "love this pick for football and human reasons," noting that Terrell was once viewed as a potential first-round talent. That kind of value in the second round is exactly what builds championship-caliber rosters.

While the Falcons' Day 3 selections raised some eyebrows—especially the trend of converting defensive backs to linebackers—the praise from analysts like Miller suggests this draft class could be deeper than many initially thought. For a team looking to reload on defense, finding a potential playmaker like Perkins in the sixth round is the kind of move that can turn a good draft into a great one.