Despite not having a first round pick, the Atlanta Falcons are already getting contributions from their 2026 rookie class, giving general manager Ian Cunningham reason to feel good about his first draft with the team.
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo ranked the Falcons’ 2026 draft class 10th out of 32 teams and gave it a B grade in his evaluation following Week 5. Melo highlighted rookies Avieon Terrell, Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. for helping Atlanta’s defense navigate injuries, while Zachariah Branch has made an impact on special teams.
Sure the class still has plenty to prove, but Atlanta is already getting useful snaps from several rookies. For a team dealing with significant defensive injuries, that early help matters more than a draft grade on its own.
Terrell, Atlanta’s second round pick at No. 48 overall, arrived with an opportunity to contribute at cornerback. The Falcons also selected Branch in the third round, Daniels in the fourth, and defensive tackle Anterio Thompson and linebacker Perkins in the sixth. Offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa rounded out the six player class in the seventh round.
The defensive rookies have become particularly important as Atlanta works through injuries. SI credited Terrell, Daniels and Perkins with helping the unit stay competitive despite those absences. Their roles have varied, but all three have been involved early in their NFL careers.
Branch still has room to grow as Falcons assess the class
Zachariah Branch’s early impact has been more limited on offense as through five games, the third round pick has caught seven passes for 46 yards, with no receiving touchdowns.
He has contributed as a returner, which gives the Atlanta Falcons another way to use his speed while he works toward a bigger role in the passing game.
Against Baltimore, Branch played fewer offensive snaps than veteran receiver Olamide Zaccheaus in the Falcons’ Week 5 overtime loss to the Ravens. That could change as the season progresses, but Branch has yet to establish himself as a consistent part of the offense.
The Falcons also need more time to evaluate their other selections. Thompson and Onianwa have not received the same attention as the defensive rookies, and their eventual contributions will help determine how this class looks over the next few seasons.
Still, Ian Cunningham deserves credit for the early returns, particularly with three defensive rookies already helping address a need created by injuries.
But the most important test will be whether those early contributions turn into lasting roles. The Falcons have reason to like what they have seen so far, and the rookies will have more chances to strengthen that case as the season continues.
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