Falcons post-draft depth chart: How many rookie starters?

[ASFN Admin]

After sitting out on Day 1, the Atlanta Falcons finally got to participate on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team made two selections on Friday evening, taking Clemson cornerback Aveion Terrell in Round 2 and Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch in the third.

While the Falcons still have three picks left to make on the third and final day of the draft, they likely won't find any immediate starters in Rounds 4-7. However, both Day 2 picks have a chance to start for Atlanta in 2026.

Terrell, a projected Day 1 selection, was a steal at pick No. 48. The Falcons have one of the better secondaries in the NFL, and Terrell will only increase competition among this group. Terrell has a chance to start at the nickel, but I wouldn't be surprised if the team prefers to keep him on the outside behind Mike Hughes.

As for Branch, he has less competition as the wide receiver position was maybe the thinnest on the roster. The third-round pick will almost certainly start for Atlanta, but will it be on the outside or in the slot?

Find out in our post-Day 2 Falcons depth chart projection below.

Quarterback​

1. Michael Penix Jr. (9)
2. Tua Tagovailoa (1)
3. Trevor Siemian (13)

Running Back​

1. Bijan Robinson (7)
2. Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
3. Tyler Goodson (25)
4. Nathan Carter (38)
5. Carlos Washington Jr. (26)

Wide Receiver​

1. Drake London (5)
2. Chris Blair (19)
3. Casey Washington (82)

Wide Receiver​

1. Jahan Dotson (4)
2. Deven Thompkins (83)

Wide Receiver (slot)​

1. Zachariah Branch (rookie)
2. Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
3. Dylan Drummond (80)

Tight End​

1. Kyle Pitts (8)
2. Austin Hooper (81)
3. Charlie Woerner (89)
4. Joshua Simon (47)

Left Tackle​

1. Jake Matthews (70)
2. Jack Nelson (69)

Left Guard​

1. Matthew Bergeron (65)
2. Kyle Hinton (68)

Center​

1. Ryan Neuzil (64)
2. Corey Levin (62)

Right Guard​

1. Chris Lindstrom (63)
2. Andrew Stueber (74)

Right Tackle​

1. Jawaan Taylor (71)
2. Storm Norton (77)
3. Michael Jerrell (72)

Defensive Line/DE​

1. Zach Harrison (96)
2. Da'Shawn Hand (90)

Defensive Tackle/NT​

1. Maason Smith (92)
2. Chris Williams (93)
3. Elijah Garcia (91)

Defensive Line/DE​

1. Brandon Dorlus (54)
2. LaCale London (94)
3. Ben Stille (95)

EDGE/OLB​

1. Jalon Walker (11)
2. Azeez Ojulari (51)
3. Cameron Thomas (99)

Linebacker​

1. Divine Deablo (0)
2. JD Bertrand (40)
3. Channing Tindall (55)

Linebacker​

1. Christian Harris (45)
2. Troy Andersen (44)
3. Malik Verdon (43)

EDGE/OLB​

1. James Pearce Jr. (27)
2. Samson Ebukam (52)
3. Bralen Trice (48)

Cornerback​

1. A.J. Terrell (24)
2. Cobee Bryant (37)
3. Clark Phillips III (22)

Cornerback​

1. Mike Hughes (21)
2. Avieon Terrell (rookie)
3. Natrone Brooks (35)
4. C.J. Henderson (39)

Nickel CB​

1. Billy Bowman Jr. (33)
2. Darnay Holmes (30)
3. Mike Ford Jr. (28)
4. A.J. Woods (20)

Safety​

1. Jessie Bates III (3)
2. DeMarcco Hellams (23)
3. Jammie Robinson (34)

Safety​

1. Xavier Watts (31)
2. Sydney Brown (29)
3. Tysheem Johnson (41)

Special Teams​

• LS: Liam McCullough (49)
• K: Nick Folk (6)
• P: Jake Bailey (16)
• P2: Gil Trenton (46)

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons depth chart: Zachariah Branch to start at WR?

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