The Atlanta Falcons left the 2026 NFL Draft with six new players, including two potential starters, despite not having a first-round pick. After sitting out on Day 1, the team kicked off Day 2 by taking Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell in the second round.
Not only was Terrell a projected first-round selection, but is the younger brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell. However, this wasn't some nepotism pick, and the Terrell brothers should be a force in Atlanta for years to come.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham wasn't done yet, though. In the third round, the team drafted speedy Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch with the 79th overall pick. From there, Atlanta started to shift towards finding versatile, athletic prospects.
After pulling off a trade to acquire an additional sixth-round pick, the Falcons took Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels, Washington defensive tackle Anterio Thompson, LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., and Ohio State offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa.
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, especially to the team's Day 2 picks. Here's how those around the NFL reacted to the Falcons' 2026 draft class.
Extremely proud of you @zachariahbranch! You have been a joy to watch this past year, and I can’t wait to see what you do with @AtlantaFalcons GO DAWGS !! pic.twitter.com/F063vLBIib
— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) April 25, 2026
Matt Ryan was pumped when the @AtlantaFalcons selected Kendal Daniels 😄 pic.twitter.com/99yxrjXZ3A
The theme of these last two picks for Atlanta in the sixth round? Athlete. DT Anterio Thompson is 306 pounds and ran a 4.73 40-time and a 1.74 10-yard split. LB Harold Perkins Jr. ran a 4.45 40-time. That's in the 96th percentile of his position. pic.twitter.com/zhLIs91wwi
Kendal Daniels is a BIG LB/S hybrid. Can line him up in the slot, he's a great blitzer, not who I expected but a very Jeff Ulbrich coded pick
Falcons ranked 9th for best value in the draft without having a first round pick. Ian cooked. https://t.co/uHz0shy69Q
AJ Terrell said Kevin Stefanski told him about three picks away that the #Falcons were probably going to take his brother. "I had to wait three picks before I could show some type of love to him. ... I feel like I'm living the draft again."
Perkins: "Yes, I grew up a Saints fan."Then he tilted down his new #Falcons cap."I ain't a Saints fan no more!"
4.73 at 306 pounds is genuinely disturbing https://t.co/fygU3nCVw9 pic.twitter.com/vHMA11rjmf
AJ Terrell said Kevin Stefanski told him about three picks away that the #Falcons were probably going to take his brother. "I had to wait three picks before I could show some type of love to him. ... I feel like I'm living the draft again."
— Zachariah “ease” Branch (@zachariahbranch) April 26, 2026
Falcons secondary is going to make a lot of plays in 2026.
Harold Perkins Jr. is a steal at the end of the 6th round for the Falcons. pic.twitter.com/TofRoVYZxx
Maurice Jones-Drew picked #Falcons LB Kendal Daniels as his most intriguing Day 3 pick.“His ability to spy guys … he can rush, he can play LB, he can cover. To me, I was shocked he was still there in the 4th round.” pic.twitter.com/jOGq8mEnwQ
— Carlos “CEO" Allen Jr (@carlosallen51) April 25, 2026