Falcons add Georgia DT, Oklahoma WR in ESPN's 7-round mock draft

[ASFN Admin]

The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner, but Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham will have to make do without a first-round pick. The team sent that selection to the Los Angeles Rams during last year's draft to move up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

The Falcons won't make their first pick under Cunningham until Day 2 of the draft (pick No. 48 overall), and they have just five total selections. While NFL teams usually seem to find talent in the later rounds of the draft, Atlanta has essentially been left out of mock draft season due to not having a first-rounder.

ESPN's Matt Miller gave a nice present to those teams without a first-round pick by dropping a full seven-round projection of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Falcons kicked things off in ESPN's mock by taking Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller in Round 2.

Round 2: Falcons draft Georgia DT Christen Miller​

"Atlanta boosted the edges of its defense last year by selecting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in Round 1, but the middle still needs work," wrote ESPN's Matt Miller. "Miller is a rock at nose tackle and does the dirty work of keeping interior blockers busy so linebackers and edge rushers can run free."

The Falcons could certainly use a big defensive lineman like Miller after losing David Onyemata, plus they need a true nose tackle. In the third round of Miller's mock, the team added a speedy wide receiver to pair with Drake London.

Round 3: Falcons draft Oklahoma WR Deion Burks​

"The Falcons have big-bodied, jump-ball targets in Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. but need a speed option and someone who can win with the ball," wrote Miller. "Burks is a slot receiver with "make you miss" ability and 4.3 speed."

Atlanta has signed two wide receivers in free agency, but Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus may not be enough. The Falcons should look to add a dynamic receiver at some point in the draft, and Burks would be an interesting fit. Last season, Burks finished with 58 catches for 617 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Sooners.

While there was no analysis provided for the remaining picks in ESPN's mock draft, let's check out the three projected Falcons selections.

Falcons' final 3 picks in ESPN's mock draft​

• Round 4: CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
• Round 6: OT Markel Bell, Miami
• Round 7: TE Dallen Bentley, Utah

In Round 4, the team added Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III. In Round 6, Atlanta took Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell. Finally in Round 7, the Falcons were projected to take Utah tight end Dallen Bentley.

Lee played almost exclusively at the outside cornerback position last season, allowing four touchdowns and a passer rating of 108.4. He had a better year in 2024, when he recorded two interceptions and allowed a passer rating of 82.6.

Bell is a 6-foot-9, 345-pound left tackle who started 16 games for the Hurricanes last season. Atlanta should look to invest in the future at the offensive tackle position. Jake Matthews is 34 years old and Kaleb McGary is coming off a serious knee injury.

Bentley recorded a career-high 48 catches for 620 receiving yards and six touchdowns for the Utah Utes last season. Check out ESPN's seven-round mock draft to see all 257 picks.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Falcons fill needs in ESPN 7-round mock draft

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