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The Atlanta Falconshave just five picks to make in the 2026 NFL Draft, so they have to make them count. Last year, the team traded its first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams to move up for James Pearce Jr. in a move that hasn't exactly aged well.
First-year general manager Ian Cunningham vowed to never go into a draft with just five picks again, but for now, he must clean up the mess left by former Falcons GM Terry Fontenot.
In our latest seven-round mock draft, we attempted to hit all of Atlanta's biggest roster needs, including wide receiver and defensive tackle, without trading down for more picks. Here's how it turned out.
First things first, Atlanta absolutely has to bolster the interior defensive line rotation. With that in mind, we used the first pick on Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter (6-foot-4, 325 pounds). While his athletic scores leave something to be desired, Hunter has the size and lower body power to play nose tackle well at the next level. In 52 career college games Hunter posted 7.5 sacks and 32 tackles for a loss.
The Falcons also have to add more firepower to their wide receiver corps to give Drake London some much-needed relief. In Round 3 we targeted USC's Ja'Kobi Lane (6-foot-4, 200 pounds), who ran a 4.47 forty-yard dash and posted a 40" vertical at the combine. Lane's production in college was also impressive, totaling 99 catches, 1,363 yards and 18 touchdowns in just 30 games for the Trojans.
Atlanta's defensive backfield is strong, but this unit can never be too strong in the modern NFL. With the next pick, the Falcons hit up the lonk-and-lanky cornerback mill at Washington, where Davis (6-foot-4, 194 pounds) totaled two interceptions and 19 combined tackles last season in just seven games. Rib and hamstring injuries may drop Davis lower in the draft order than where he belongs, making him a potential high-value Day 3 pick.
The second level of the Falcons defense also needs help - and Oregon's two-sport star Bryce Boettcher (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) comes with experience at safety as well as inside linebacker. Boettcher filled out the box score in every conceivable way, putting up 148 tackles (16 for a loss), four sacks, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 55 games.
Last but not least, Atlanta also has to add more depth behind starting tackles Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary. Aamil Wagner (6-foot-6, 306 pounds) showed solid athletic range for his size at the Scouting Combine, including 21 bench press reps and a 29.5" vertical. The scouting report highlights Wagner's high football IQ and effort level. Pro Football Focus graded him out at 79.4 in pass blocking last season, ranking 59th out of over 600 qualifying tackles.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons fill needs in 7-round projection
Continue reading...
First-year general manager Ian Cunningham vowed to never go into a draft with just five picks again, but for now, he must clean up the mess left by former Falcons GM Terry Fontenot.
In our latest seven-round mock draft, we attempted to hit all of Atlanta's biggest roster needs, including wide receiver and defensive tackle, without trading down for more picks. Here's how it turned out.
Pick No. 48: Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter
First things first, Atlanta absolutely has to bolster the interior defensive line rotation. With that in mind, we used the first pick on Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter (6-foot-4, 325 pounds). While his athletic scores leave something to be desired, Hunter has the size and lower body power to play nose tackle well at the next level. In 52 career college games Hunter posted 7.5 sacks and 32 tackles for a loss.
Pick No. 79: USC WR Ja'Kobi Lane
The Falcons also have to add more firepower to their wide receiver corps to give Drake London some much-needed relief. In Round 3 we targeted USC's Ja'Kobi Lane (6-foot-4, 200 pounds), who ran a 4.47 forty-yard dash and posted a 40" vertical at the combine. Lane's production in college was also impressive, totaling 99 catches, 1,363 yards and 18 touchdowns in just 30 games for the Trojans.
Pick No. 122: Washington CB Tacario Davis
Atlanta's defensive backfield is strong, but this unit can never be too strong in the modern NFL. With the next pick, the Falcons hit up the lonk-and-lanky cornerback mill at Washington, where Davis (6-foot-4, 194 pounds) totaled two interceptions and 19 combined tackles last season in just seven games. Rib and hamstring injuries may drop Davis lower in the draft order than where he belongs, making him a potential high-value Day 3 pick.
Pick No. 215: Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher
The second level of the Falcons defense also needs help - and Oregon's two-sport star Bryce Boettcher (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) comes with experience at safety as well as inside linebacker. Boettcher filled out the box score in every conceivable way, putting up 148 tackles (16 for a loss), four sacks, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 55 games.
Pick No. 231: Notre Dame OT Aamil Wagner
Last but not least, Atlanta also has to add more depth behind starting tackles Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary. Aamil Wagner (6-foot-6, 306 pounds) showed solid athletic range for his size at the Scouting Combine, including 21 bench press reps and a 29.5" vertical. The scouting report highlights Wagner's high football IQ and effort level. Pro Football Focus graded him out at 79.4 in pass blocking last season, ranking 59th out of over 600 qualifying tackles.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons fill needs in 7-round projection
Continue reading...
