The Atlanta Falcons had a long wait before making their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They didn't have a first-round pick and didn't pick until No. 48 overall, where they drafted cornerback Avieon Terrell: and they did that for more reasons than just the family reunion with his older brother A.J.
When they turned in their draft card, one thing stood out: the last name Terrell. They had already dipped their toe in that well once and it was successful, so Ian Cunningham and Matt Ryan felt incredibly comfortable doing it again--and through two games, they're being vindicated for that call.
While A.J. Terrell has been a rollercoaster for the Falcons this season, it got even worse because he was just placed on IR, meaning he'll be out for the next four games at least. And Zach Harrison was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move--which will be a true test of his capabilities.
The #Falcons have another injury, as starting CB A.J. Terrell Jr. was placed on IR and they signed DL Zach Harrison to the 53-man roster. pic.twitter.com/xBMKCeOl7k
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2026
Meanwhile, Avieon has been an entirely different story compared to his injured big brother. You haven't heard his name nearly as often, but he's been one of the best-performing players on a team that frankly really hasn't had a ton to be excited about across these first two weeks.
Falcons rookie Avieon Terrell has been everything as advertised thus far
The 21-year-old has been starting in the nickel, and splitting snaps with Sydney Brown--where he's been mostly coming in on passing downs while Brown mainly helps in run support. It's been a simple model from this defensive staff, but it's gotten the most out of Terrell's versatility on the back-end.
And while Brown is the better tackler, Avieon is starting to improve in that area. According to Pro Football Focus, Terrell's 77.3 tackling grade this season ranked 34th among all qualified cornerbacks--and he even played 26 snaps to Brown's 18 in the 34-3 blowout loss against the Carolina Panthers. This has to mean something.
It sounds like Avieon Terrell is starting to run away with the starting nickel job, and given the early impression he's made on the Dirty Birds, it's hard to be surprised. He was drafted with the expectation he'd make an instant impact, so it's nice to know he's been exactly as advertised so far.
The Clemson product was particularly impressive in the red zone on Sunday, He had some nice coverage on Tetairoa McMillan to prevent a touchdown, and was overall playing nice coverage. He recorded just a 57.7 coverage grade from PFF, which is further proof not to take that as gospel.
Here's the interesting part of this: the Falcons may get Billy Bowman Jr. back soon. He's ramping up from his Achilles tear and should return in the next couple of weeks, but even that may not matter. With the way Terrell has played, he's only strengthening his grip on the starting job--and now that his brother is on IR, he should get looks on the outside too.
It's gotten to the point where everyone who watches this team knows they found a gem. He has a nose for the football, isn't prone to giving up the big play, and knows how to force turnovers. He's like a smaller but newer model of his brother, and he is cementing himself as a long-term fixture at DB.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted Avieon Terrell knowing they'd have to rely on him a lot from Day 1, and while it's gotten lost in the shuffle of all the instability--specifically at quarterback--it doesn't change the fact he's been a bright spot and they may ask even more of him after A.J. Terrell's injury.
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