🏈 Falcons NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & More
Without a first-round pick after trading it to the Rams, the Atlanta Falcons enter draft week picking at No. 48 in Round 2 and looking to surround Michael Penix Jr. with more weapons as the Kevin Stefanski era gets underway - starting with a receiver to pair alongside Drake London.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Falcons' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Atlanta will draft with their first pick ahead of the first round, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Falcons draft picks 2026
See where the Falcons rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No pick (traded to LAR) |
| 2 | No. 48 |
| 3 | No. 79 |
| 4 | No. 104 |
| 5 | No. 153 |
| 6 | No. 189, 194 |
| 7 | No. 231 |
🆘 Falcons team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: WR, EDGE, OL, CB, S
- Key additions: Jahan Dotson (WR), Samson Ebukam (EDGE), Azeez Ojulari (EDGE), Jawaan Taylor (OT), Brian Robinson (RB), Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Kyle Pitts (franchise tag)
- Key departures: Kirk Cousins (QB, Raiders), Darnell Mooney (WR, Giants), Arnold Ebiketie (EDGE, Eagles), Kaleb McGary (OT, retiring), Kaden Elliss (LB, Saints), Leonard Floyd (EDGE), David Onyemata (DL, Jets)
Penix needs a reliable No. 2 receiver opposite London after Mooney left for New York, and Dotson alone may not be enough. The edge rush lost three contributors in Ebiketie, Floyd, and Street, and while Ebukam and Ojulari provide short-term reinforcements, neither is a long-term solution. The offensive line also needs attention with McGary's retirement leaving a hole at right tackle that Taylor's one-year deal is meant to bridge.
🏈 Falcons draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Falcons' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick:
| Pick type | No. 48 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | Chris Bell, WR, Louisville | 7.10 | Before a torn ACL late last season, Bell was in the first-round conversation and could be an ideal complement to Drake London with his size and explosiveness as a power slot or an outside X |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama | 7.05 | If Atlanta wants to add a reliable wide receiver who can start right away, Bernard's well-rounded skill set and route-running polish make him one of the safer bets in the class |
| 🚀 Upside pick | De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi | 7.0 | Stribling's combination of size and downfield playmaking ability would give Penix a legitimate deep threat, and his ball skills in contested situations make him an intriguing fit opposite London |
NFL draft prospect profiles
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➡️ Makai Lemon draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Falcons mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Atlanta Falcons' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Atlanta to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech (No. 48) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | No projected pick in Round 1 |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois (No. 48) |
🎯 Falcons first position drafted
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Atlanta doesn't have a first-round pick after trading it to the Rams, so the Falcons' first selection comes at No. 48 in Round 2. Michael Penix Jr. could still use another receiver opposite Drake London, but edge rusher is the clear priority after losing three contributors off the edge this offseason, which is where the market aligns.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 Falcons draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 48: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
- Pro comparison: Matthew Judon
- Measurables: 6'4" | 260 lbs | 22 years old | RAS: 9.59
The reason the Atlanta Falcons don't have a first-round pick this year is also the reason they need to target a pass rusher with their first pick (James Pearce Jr.). There are several edge players Falcons GM Ian Cunningham could consider on Day 2, but Gabe Jacas is one of the safer bets. He's a wrecking ball with his effort, and his hands are some of the heaviest in the class. Jacas is the rare four-year starter at one school, too, racking up 142 pressures and 27 sacks at Illinois.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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